--- title: "The Commitments: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-commitments/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-commitments" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Commitments (1991): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 9 reviews: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimous in liking it. Most critics agree that Alan Parker’s story of working-class Dublin kids forming a soul band is fast-talking, foul-mouthed and funny, and that the music carries it. The praise clusters on the cast, an ensemble of mostly non-professional Dublin musicians whose spontaneous timing and raw energy several critics find remarkable. The audition scenes and the soul covers come up again and again, and Time Out calls it Parker’s best film to date. The spread is narrow; nobody dislikes it, and the reservations are mild. The New York Times finds an occasional slickness beneath the hyperkinetic energy, and The New Yorker, though warm, treats it as a loose, friendly comedy that keeps the band’s modest achievements in perspective. Radio Times notes that the cast did not become the stars many expected. Critics returning to it years later say it has stood the test of time. ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 August 1991. The critic finds the film irresistible thanks to its euphoric soul classics and photogenic youthful performers. He singles out the non-star casting of Dublin musicians and the cheerful vitality they bring to the high-spirited entertainment. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-30-ca-1357-story.html) ## Time Out — GA Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2016. This is Parker's best film to date: a foul-mouthed, fast-talking and very funny comedy about working-class Dublin kids forming a soul band. The script captures their witty banter and modest dreams with precision, while the director treats the milieu and music with gritty intimacy and affection without over-emphasising poverty or glamorising the band. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-commitments) ## Empire — Jack Yeovil Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The film is an infectious musical story of rise-and-fall centered on a Dublin soul band. It is praised for its gritty Dublin humour, funny vignettes, and sense of fun as a pop musical. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/commitments-review/) ## Radio Times — David Parkinson Rating 4/5. The musical drama is laced with Irish charm and blessed with superb music performed with passion; it is very funny, especially during the band auditions. It brought Roddy Doyle's work to wider attention and won multiple Baftas, though the cast did not become as big stars as expected. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-xrns3p/the-commitments/) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1990. The critic calls Alan Parker’s story of young Dubliners forming a soul band fresh, well-executed and original. The ensemble cast of mostly non-actors is singled out for strong performances, along with the film’s visual variety and accomplished editing. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1990/film/reviews/the-commitments-1200428723/) ## The New Yorker — Terrence Rafferty Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 August 1991. The critic calls it a loose, friendly musical comedy that keeps the band's modest achievements in perspective through sharp banter and humor. He singles out the extraordinary ensemble of mostly non-professional actors for their spontaneous timing and vitality. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1991/08/26/dubliners) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 August 1991. The critic praises Parker's exuberant adaptation as a valentine to American soul music performed by impoverished Dublin teens. She singles out the hyperkinetic energy and assembly of talented newcomers despite occasional slickness. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/14/movies/review-film-how-american-soul-music-conquered-dublin.html) ## Consequence Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 August 2016. The piece celebrates the film as an infectiously unique comedy with strong musical timing that captures working-class Irish dreams through soul music. It singles out the memorable characters, groovy soundtrack covers, and Alan Parker's direction for praise. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2016/08/the-commitments-turns-25-irelands-shortest-lived-hit-band/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 22 March 2005. The critic notes that Parker focuses effectively on the band's formation rather than later success, delivering fine naturalistic acting by an amateur cast and excellent music. The film is buoyed by raw energy and enthusiasm and has stood the test of time. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-commitments-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-commitments.md