An Irish Story: This is My Home

A little over a year ago I was wrapping up a trip with some guy friends to London and Dublin. I had a good time in London and saw lots of sights, but I really fell in love with Dublin and Ireland. It was a city rich with culture and during our tour across the country to get to the Cliffs of Moher, I found that Ireland was downright gorgeous. 

Fast forward a year and my girlfriend and I have cancelled our trip to Switzerland (we'd be there right now), we're all quarantined and staying at home to stop the spread of a virus, and all the big new films have vacated to safer time slots (Black Widow would be on tap next week, for example). 

So when the producer and director of An Irish Story: This is My Home, Karl Nickoley, reached out to me, seeing if I'd be interested to watch his film, I was eager to just watch something new. 

In the true spirit of the film, I poured myself some Redbreast Irish Whiskey over ice and settled in. From the very first scenes I knew I would have a good time, but - almost accidentally, yet remarkably - This is My Home speaks even louder in today's world. 

If you're not familiar with the Black Donnellys, that doesn't matter. I wasn't before the film and by the end of it, I was a fan. They're incredibly talented Irish musicians made up of Dave Browne and Dave Rooney. Both have thick accents, are constantly smiling, and aren't afraid to curse. Immediately they're likable subjects for a film to be focused around. They've found success with their Irish music - some original and some are Irish covers of other songs - and also hold 2 World Records: marathon guitar playing (114 hours!) and the longest concert ever held (372 hours!). This is My Home documents their quest for a new World Record: 60 shows in 50 states in 40 days. As the tagline suggests, what could go wrong? 

Just a couple of dudes being dudes

Humorously, quite a lot it would seem. When I first clicked play I was curious as to how the "drama" would play out. Would this just be one long jam session across America? In fact, there is quite a bit that happens - courtesy of Mother Nature - as the band battles volcanoes, severe thunderstorms, and a hurricane, just to name the natural problems. They take it in good stride with humor and alcohol, resulting in a documentary with just enough that goes wrong to keep it interesting. They also run out of money shockingly quick which - as a constant financial planner myself - made me roll my eyes and ask, "Really?!". But again, it's taken with grace and humor (and more booze), leaving the group to raise money in smarter ways. And the film is pieced together in a thoughtful way, tracking linearly with their adventure, but edited and paced nearly perfect to where you're always on the move and something is always happening. 

Caption This:
"I can't believe you took a
shit on stage tonight."
[not actual quote]

The film is also touching from the perspective of one of the Dave's seeking to get his green card while he's on the road. The politics of immigration are introduced abruptly a portion of the way through the film and at first I thought that was awkwardly all the film had to say on the topic. But, as they travel across the U.S., these segments of Irish history come across more frequently and with more context, providing a really good core theme in the back half of the film of the melting pot that is America and how important the country still is to many who want a better life. I give kudos to the movie as well for having a mostly "central" view on this - not quite preaching a particular side - so that all can enjoy the film even if it centers around a polarizing topic in an awful political landscape. 

I'd be remiss too if I didn't mention the music. Along with guitar, there are other traditional Irish instruments and styles and these guys are insanely talented, even when they're just covering a song. Their music is spread throughout the film, constantly entertaining you, and during a few moments we're treated to the film slowing down, and giving us a full tune. It's joyful, uplifting music and the kind that you look forward to when you go to a live show at a bar, but rarely actually get. These guys are the real deal, super famous or not. 

But perhaps that most astounding thing about This is My Home is how it plays in a world suffering a pandemic. We've all been at home for a month or more now and it has felt even longer. Going to a bar with friends or seeing live music is a memory of the past and likely will be for many months to come. The joy of being merry, drinking some beer or whiskey (or both) and interacting, is confined to video chats or whomever you're quarantining with. We're all suffering the same tests - and that connects us - but I'd be lying if I said quarantine wasn't starting to wear on me. Hell, may I remind you that I had to cancel a trip to Switzerland for this and I know many who have far worse circumstances. I'm lucky. But, for me, something happened while watching This is My Home. At first, I had to get over the initial shock of seeing people standing so close together, but then I relished in seeing this country back up and running again. The joy on people's faces as they watched some great music and sipped good beer. The busy streets of cities as the guys tour places like Boston and New York City. Maybe I'm being super corny here, but This is My Home gave me hope that we'll get through this while also uplifting my own spirits. In times like this, it's one of the most joyous films of the year. 

Ahhhh...life before social distancing

So yeah, it may be a smaller movie than Black Widow or Mulan or many others that we should have seen by now, but it felt like the right movie for the times, and while that likely wasn't intended by the cast and crew, it's worth capitalizing on it now. If you want to escape for 90ish minutes, pour yourself a drink, turn up the volume, and enjoy the music, the humor, and the story of two Irish lads trying to set a World Record and discovering America as they do so. An Irish Story: This is My Home is available VOD on many platforms (e.g. Amazon, Apple, Xbox, etc.) or you can click HERE to see all options. 

CONS

• The immigration angle of the story is introduced abruptly and sits awkwardly for a while until the other segments about it start to kick in
• Not necessarily a Con, but how on earth did they run out of money so fast? You knew you had hotels, food, etc. for cast and crew...
• Small segments that begin to feel similar in between the larger dramatic pieces and immigration focus (e.g. go to a bar, play, revisit the map, play again, etc.)

PROS

• Wonderful music throughout. These two are talented and their music is infectious - as can be seen in many of the bars they go to. You don not have to have heard of them or like Irish music to enjoy this
• Speaking of the Daves...they both seem like cool dudes and their candor, openness, and humor increase the quality of the film's tone
• Paced effectively. It's mostly short and sweet and always on the move
• Once the immigration story and Irish history gets up an running, it's particularly touching and well done. The final montage (of sorts) of the titular song is awesome
• Consistently funny and entertaining throughout
• Unintended by the film, I'm sure, but it's a weird, then very joyful watch during this pandemic. Like a sign of the memories we have and the times we'll have in the future while we sit in this limbo
• Feel good documentary with a well-pitched message, complimented by stellar music. You should already have your quarantine plans for tonight settled!

Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10