THE SNAPPER is a humorous look at what happens when an unmarried, working class Irish girl, Sharon Curley (Tina Kellegher) gets pregnant and refuses to identify the father. Steeped in the atmosphere and dialogue of present-day Dublin, screenwriter Roddy Doyle and director Stephen Frears create a charming and realistic slice of suburban Irish life. The film was followed by Doyle and Frears' collaboration on THE VAN, the third of the "Barrytown" trilogy.

Based on the second of Irish writer Roddy Doyle's "Barrytown" trilogy, which includes THE COMMITMENTS and THE VAN, THE SNAPPER is a warmly comic look at a close-knit Irish family faced with a pregnant, unmarried daughter. Young Sharon Curley (Tina Kellegher) is going to have a baby--and if that isn't bad enough, she adamantly refuses to name the father. As rumors about his identity run wild, the small town goes into a gossip frenzy, testing long-term friendships and loyalties. But through it all, the Curleys stand together, ready to welcome the new member of their family with love. The film, featuring spectacular character acting by Colm Meaney as Dessie Curley, Sharon's baffled and ultimately caring father, is a superb slice of working class Irish life full of heartaches and pints at the local pub. The vibrant and eccentric characters are brought to life by the realistic and heartfelt dialogue of writer Roddy Doyle's authentic Irish ear and the solid direction Stephen Frears.

In England, THE SNAPPER premiered on BBC-TV, the network that produced the film. The film is the 22nd TV movie by director Stephen Frears. It was shot in 6 weeks.

The film opened the Directors Fortnight at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.

Colm Meany, who plays Dessie Curley, is better known for his role as O'Brien on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and DEEP SPACE NINE. The film contains a line slyly referencing the shows.


"We are, as the old saying goes, 'torn between two lovers.'"--George (Pat Laffon) to Sharon (Tina Kellegher)

"A man needs a pint after all that."--Dessie Curley (Colm Meaney), after learning his daughter is pregnant

Excerpt: "We are, as the old saying goes, 'torn between two lovers.'" -- GEORGE (Pat Laffon) to SHARON (Tina Kellegher)

"A man needs a pint after all that." -- DESSIE CURLEY (Colm Meaney) after learning his daughter is pregnant

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85:1
Audio:
Stereo Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Stephen Frears - Director, Roddy Doyle - Screenwriter, Lynda Myles - Producer
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus

Distributor Notes: The Snapper

One little secret is about to cause a big, big commotion in this hilariously funny hit comedy that has everyone talking! When the oldest daughter of a riotous, close-knit family announces her unexpected pregnancy, everyone wants to know who fathered the "snapper" she's carrying. But the young woman's refusal to reveal anything about her predicament sends the entire town into a tizzy! Critics coast-to-coast praised THE SNAPPER as one of the year's finest and funniest films -- it's sure to deliver nonstop laughs to you!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Colm Meaney: Irish Supporting Actor
Tina Kellegher: Irish Actress/"Snapper"
Ruth McCabe: Irish Actress
Pat Laffan: Irish Actor/"The Snapper"

Stephen Frears: British Director

"...A small, joyful lark of a film....The Curleys and their friends are a most engaging lot..."
"...Tartly witty comedy....[THE SNAPPER] brings this squabbling community to vibrant life." -- Rating: B+
"...THE SNAPPER is a lively, likable slice of Dublin working-class comedy....[The] casting and playing are uniformly tops..."
"...An irresistible delight..."