aineolach I don't mind how the movie diverges from the actual story as its primary purpose is entertainment but I found the movie's script let things down enormously. I found the script was extremely blatant and was very cliché. Fortunately the strength of the story (the story, not the script), the acting and the directing make the movie enjoyable enough. If only this movie had a better writer then the story could have made a much bigger impact.ERRATA: ccthemovieman-1 writes in his review, "The story is based a true situation in the mid 1950s Ireland in which, in the end, the Irish Constitution was amended because of this case." Neither in the movie nor in the real events from which the movie is based was the Irish Constitution amended. SPOILER: In both, Desmond Doyle's victory is achieved by challenging the constitutional validity of the law which was used to refuse Desmond custody of his children. The supreme court held that the statute conflicts with the constitution and is therefore invalid (hence that law could no longer be used to deprive Desmond of custody).

m-machine Desmond Doyle is far from broken; He is out of job and his pockets are more than empty, his wife has left him for another man, and the worst is yet to come; when government takes his three children due to his unstable status. he does anything and everything in his power in order to master the situation and get his children back. the real challenges are laying ahead...Although I'm moved by well orchestrated story, and superb acts (particularly Brosnan in a very different, yet challenging role), HOWEVER it was very annoying to watch the ironic paradox of blindness of nomadic catholic church system, along with the spirituality that reigned over the whole story, at the same time. I'm even having difficulty putting this movie in the "Courtroom Drama" shelf, since although there's talk about legal matters in general, however the law in this movie starts and ends with God, the opposite side of the Doyle are his/her! servants, and almost every major defense is religious based as well. and finally I believe that is the very story of our lives; while most of human-being's problems through times are caused by irrational man-made blind acts of religion, however! it is the very same thing that people are seeking help from, while running away from those problems... I'm wondering which one would meltdown sooner; the whole Arctic Ice, or organized religion's Ice mountain, which by the way has been hold back the human-ship for a long time.

jpschapira They are generally from Disney or from many other studios now, and they contain a plot similar to the animated movies but are acted in live flesh and have fundamentals in people's feelings. They are also movies that have the best intentions and are directed to the heart.MGM brings "Evelyn" and along with it brings Pierce Brosnan in an unlikely usual but pleasant role. I could only think of him saying: "I'm Bond…James Bond", and now he comes with this Irish accent with doesn't suit him right (and he is Irish!); but we forgive him. In fact, we forgive lots of things in movies like this. Brosnan ends up achieving a moving and dedicated performance, making us forget about his old spy roles. He plays Desmond Doyle, a father abandoned by his wife that has to leave their children to authorities due to a lack of money. Then, with strength and courage plus the help of some, they arrive to a trial…This is based in a true story.These characters, the ones I like to call "helpers"; because they stay with the hero from the start until the end. They also carry on with specific plot obligations. Alan Bates plays the old fox Tom Connolly, who wants to take his glory days back, and he puts a lot of enthusiasm to the movie. Brian McGrath's Hugh Canning, Connolly's friend and newsman, who informs the results of the trials in the most cheerful way. Nick Barron, the lawyer who was first against, but then helped more than any other, played by Aidan Quinn with an elegant smile and charm. Stephen Rea shows to be in top form with his honest but shy lawyer Michael Beattie. And his sister, Bernadette Beattie, puts some love again in Desmond's life and is played by Julianna Margulies with innocence and wisdom. It is a wonderful showcase of performances; director Bruce Beresford seems to know them all and when everybody looks comfortable… Still, from all these characters the one who highlights the most is Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur), one of Desmond's children. I can clearly see the plot's interest in her, because of thefilm's title, but even when the bond between her and her father is strong, she shouldn't have been the plot's center; because it obligates us to give an importance to her that she doesn't probably have. There other two sons (I won't even mention their names because they don't even seem to be there) and Desmond's father Henry (a marvelous Frank Kelly), but we mostly see Evelyn in church with the nuns and no other relevant subplot whatsoever. However, young actress Vavasseur is a revelation and shows gifts of an immense talent; and that's a positive thing for pieces of this type.We get the usual; including a script by Paul Pender full of phrases, as I said, "directed to the heart", that unite to that touching music and that captivating image in this movie, where everything is correct, but it ultimately depends of us…If we let it in or not.

H. Martin (~AleXa~) Evelyn (2002) is a heart-warming film based on a true story about a man, Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) who finds himself down and out when the Irish courts rule that his three children, Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur), Dermot (Niall Beagan), and Maurice (Hugh McDonagh) are to be remanded into the custody of a Catholic-run orphanage after his wife leaves him the day after Christmas.This film tugs at your heart strings, but surprisingly not to the point of tears. And, as it is based on a true story, it brings that much more warmth to your heart. Pierce Brosnan and Sophie Vavasseur really shine in their respective roles. Certain scenes are a bit to-the-point, as if a little more dialog could've been added and the film is relatively short, clocking in at an hour and a half, but nevertheless, it still succeeds in taking you on a journey with Desmond Doyle as he fights for his family.VERDICT: A lighthearted fare that any parent can appreciate and that pretty much anyone sympathize with. Recommended to any parent or anyone in search of a light, heart-warming film.6.5 out of 10.0