Based on the best selling novel by Maeve Binchy, this is a quaint little love story set in the lush green lands of Ireland. It's 1957 and three best friends from the little town of Knockglen are for the first time experiencing the world as they begin University in Dublin. Benny, Nan and Eve soon find they have a lot more choices to contend with other than simple University matters. They find that many events challenge their strict Catholic backgrounds and small town values which have been instilled in them since childhood. However, as would be expected, it is the boys thrown in their path that cause the most problems.
The central shoreline revolves around Bernadette 'Benny' Hogan. Benny is a terrific friend with a good sense of humour, however, Benny feels like a 'rhinoceros' and often feels that because of this she can't have particular things in life that the 'beautiful Nan' can acquire. Benny soon develops a special attraction for the smartest, most athletic and most handsome star of the University (played perfectly by who else but Chris O'Donnell!). Her dreams come true when she learns that Jack has fallen for her too, and thus her life seems to be perfect - she has her two best friends with her and the greatest guy in the world - but is it perfect?? Unfortunately Benny has to contend with going back to Knockglen *every* night and to make matters worse, she has to deal with 'creepy Shawn Walsh'. Just to diverge for a second, this character has to be *the* most slimy guy to have graced the cinema screens in recent times!
Now, have you ever noticed that
when your life seems absolutely perfect one day, it manages to be completely
the opposite the next? This is exactly what happens to Benny. Betrayal
sets in when selfish Nan develops a very pressing reason to steal Jack
away from Benny, and as well as this, a terrible family tragedy strikes,
leaving Benny vulnerable to all the evils of the world.
In a series of superb twists Nan ends up being caught out by Benny's true and loyal friend Eve, and Jack winds up more in love with Benny than ever. He comes to Knockglen to try and win her back and Benny is so cute as she tries to convince him that she doesn't believe he deserves her love - even if she *did* have anymore for him. However, her little murmur of, "I lie", lets Jack, and us, believe there is still a chance that they will end up living happily ever after. Well, at least we gather that Jack really was Benny's first love from the ending quote from this movie as Benny drags Jack into Eve's empty little cottage....
This is an absolutely charming
little Irish love story. I have to recommend reading the book first however,
not only because it is very much worth reading, but because one has a better
understanding of the characters - oh, and not to mention you receive a
reward for your efforts - the ending in the movie is much more pleasing
than the one in the book!
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