If you wanted to be glib about things, you could describe Rory O'Shea Was Here (or as it was known everywhere else but the States - Inside I'm Dancing) as a sort of punk riff on My Left Foot blended with a dash of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - but that would do a disservice to all three films. The Irish charmer takes what ordinarily would be material ripe for condescension and sap - the lives of physically and mentally disabled individuals - and creates an uplifting, funny and warm film that celebrates difference rather than shun it.

Directed by Damien O'Donnell (who previously helmed the terrific East Is East) and featuring two utterly superb performances from James McAvoy and Steven Robertson, Rory O'Shea Was Here is a subtle masterpiece that occasionally slips into sentimentality but overcomes its slight flaws and eye-rolling contrivances with a powerful script, a terrific cast and a poignant conclusion that is guaranteed to move all but the most stone-hearted.

Michael Connolly (Robertson), diagnosed with cerebral palsy and living in a home outside Dublin, leads a quiet, predictable life - one that is thrown into upheaval with the arrival of the brash, sarcastic Rory O'Shea (McAvoy), a lively lad who suffers from a rare form of paralysis. After making Eileen (Brenda Fricker in an extended cameo) and her staff's life a living hell, Rory and Michael strike out on their own, landing the lovely Siobhan (Romola Garai) as their caretaker. Rory pushes Michael to live life to the fullest and not feel held back by his disability - as the pair discover life outside a home for the disabled isn't always easy, they also come to understand just how much they need each other.

While much of Rory O'Shea Was Here deals with this potentially sappy material straight on and unflinchingly, there are moments where the narrative becomes mawkish and suffused with treacle - fortunately, these moments are few. Were it not for the tremendous work of McAvoy and Robertson, this would've been a grating exercise in endurance as the chemistry shared by the two actors serves as the core for O'Donnell's film (working from Jeffrey Caine's screenplay). The tear-inducing poignancy of the film's final moments is well-earned and leaves you wondering why more people haven't seen this quietly powerful human drama - laced with a slight sneer and good-natured humor, Rory O'Shea Was Here is life-affirming in the best sense of that phrase.

The Video:

Rory O'Shea Was Here is presented in a very clear, clean 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that gives colorful life to both the sweeping Irish countryside as well as the dingy urban locales. There wasn't much of anything that truly detracted from the overall image. An excellent transfer.

Offered with a robust Dolby Digital 5.1 (as well as a Dolby 2.0 stereo) soundtrack, the largely dialogue-driven film is crisp and intelligible throughout with a few scant ambient effects making use of the surround speakers. Just in case the Irish accents become too thick for you, optional English subtitles are available.

Unfortunately, the supplemental material is scant and not entirely filling - three deleted scenes (including an alternate ending) that run for an aggregate of roughly 5 minutes as well as an extended party sequence from the film that runs nearly seven minutes. Thankfully, all of the bonus footage is presented in anamorphic widescreen and looks to be a generation removed from the finished product. A commentary track or making-of featurette would've been a great addition - one can hope for a revisited special edition down the line.

I unequivocally recommend Rory O'Shea Was Here - while it may have the appearance of a family film, some off-color subject material is tackled and Rory does have a bit of a penchant for profanity. It would likely be suitable for teenagers, but those who appreciate a fine (if slightly cliched) story coupled with a pair of magnificent performances should seek this gem out immediately. Highly recommended.