''Trouble with Sex'' is a 2005 Irish drama film set in

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

and co-written by Catriona McGowan and Fintan Connolly (directed by Connolly). It stars

Aidan Gillen Aidan Murphy (born 1967 or 1968), better known as Aidan Gillen (), is an Irish actor. He is known for his roles as Stuart Alan Jones in ''Queer as Folk (British TV series), Queer as Folk'' (1999–2000); Tommy Carcetti in ''The Wire'' (2004–20 ...

and Renée Weldon, who won an

Irish Film and Television Award The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) is an all-Ireland organisation focused on film and television. It has about 1000 members, and is based in Dublin, with branches in London and Los Angeles. The IFTA now holds separate ceremonies for the ...

for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance.

Plot

Dublin. Michelle Kelly (Renée Weldon) is an ambitious, successful lawyer. Her relationship with her doctor boyfriend Ivan (Declan Conlon) is on the rocks. Her mother Rosie ( Susan Fitzgerald) has succumbed to premature dementia and lives in a home. Michelle visits her regularly. Conor Flynn (

) manages a quiet, traditional pub in the city, owned by his father. Conor takes care of the Old Man ( Eamon Morrissey), a hardened drinker (who is actually his father). He has no girlfriend and has withdrawn somewhat from life. Joe ( Gerard Mannix Flynn), a barman who has been there since his father's time works alongside him running the pub, Flynn's. After a furious row with Ivan at a party (sparked by Ivan's clear interest in the sexy Eva, played by

Irina Björklund Irina Felicia Björklund (born 7 February 1973) is a Finnish actress and singer. Early life and education Björklund was born in Danderyd, Stockholm County, Sweden before moving to Finland with her family. Björklund also lived in France during ...

, who is apparently not the first of his "distractions", and ending with him basically dumping Michelle), a visibly upset Michelle bursts into Flynn's pub after hours. Her friend Kathy ( Sinead Keenan) comes to take her home but not before Conor's interest is piqued. The morning after, a chastened and hungover Michelle returns to the pub to collect her phone. There is a definite spark of attraction between them. Michelle begins to frequent the pub. They go dancing with Joe and Kathy. She invites them all back to her apartment. Conor and Michelle kiss for the first time but they are interrupted. Conor asks her out on a date. They return to the apartment, alone this time. They kiss but unexpectedly he leaves. Michelle is intrigued. She asks him to accompany her to a dinner with her colleagues. Conor invites them all back to a music session in the pub. Michelle gets up and belts out a song. They go back to her apartment where they have sex for the first time. They become lovers and have sex at every opportunity. Their affair intensifies. Ivan turns up at Michelle's apartment and they argue. He leaves but there is clearly still unfinished business between them. Michelle takes Conor away for the weekend to the country. They have an idyllic time together. On their last night Conor confesses that he is falling in love with her. Michelle is taken aback and urges caution. They return to the city. Back in the city things start to normalise. Michelle is promoted and buys herself a sports car. The differences in their lives become more apparent. Conor suspects her feelings for him are cooling. After she stands him up they have a furious row. Things are said. Emotions spill over and she walks out. They make up. After a night out they return to the apartment. They are interrupted by the arrival of Ivan, who lets himself into the apartment with his own set of keys, which he had earlier refused to give back. A serious argument develops. Ivan is forced to leave. As Michelle hadn't told Conor anything about Ivan he is angry and confused. Sensing betrayal, Conor freaks out and storms off. Michelle is upset. Just as Michelle had started to really fall for him, Conor retreats. Hurt and angry, he rejects her when she comes to the pub to apologise. Their affair ends. Conor's father dies. He decides to sell up. Life is moving on for them both. They pass each other on the street. Conor walks by Michelle, pointedly ignoring her. Then he turns back and calls to her. They embrace. Reunited.

Cast

as Conor Flynn, barman at "The Flynn" * Renée Weldon as Michelle Kelly, a lawyer * Gerard Mannix Flynn as Joe, also a barman at "The Flynn" * Eamon Morrissey as Old Man * Declan Conlon as Ivan * Susan Fitzgerald as Rosie, Michelle's mother * Sinead Keenan as Kathy, Michelle's friend * Darragh Kelly as Fred, Michelle's boss *

as Eva, Ivan's fling *

Tomas O'Suilleabhain Tomas may refer to: People * Tomás (given name), a Spanish, Portuguese, and Gaelic given name * Tomas (given name), a Swedish, Dutch, and Lithuanian given name * Tomáš, a Czech and Slovak given name * Tomàs, a Catalan given name and surname * ...

as Kelvin * Conor Lambert as Taximan

Reception

The film premiered at the

Dublin International Film Festival The Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF; ) is an annual film festival that has been held in Dublin, Ireland, since 2003. History The Dublin International Film Festival was established in 2003. It was revived by Michael Dwyer (journalist), ...

on 19 February 2005. Tara Brady in

Hot Press ''Hot Press'' is a monthly music and politics magazine based in Dublin, Ireland, founded in June 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. History ''Hot Press'' was founded in June 1977 by Niall Stokes, who cont ...

wrote "The film makes for sweet likeable drama and Renee Weldon is remarkable as a spiky, sensual, triple-vodka swilling anti-Bridget Jones. You go girl. Chardonnay and propriety be damned." Pat Gillett in Irish Star Sunday said that the film "is probably the most explicit Irish movie released with regard to the beast with two backs." Esther McCarthy in

Sunday World The ''Sunday World'' is an Irish newspaper published by Independent News & Media. It is the second largest selling "popular" newspaper in the Republic of Ireland, and is also sold in Northern Ireland where a modified edition with more stories r ...

called it a "provocative and entertaining movie about the modern dating game". In his review for ''

The Irish Times ''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It was launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is Ireland's leading n ...

'',

Michael Dwyer Michael Dwyer (1 January 1772– 23 August 1825) was an insurgent captain in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, leading the United Irish forces in battles in Wexford and Wicklow. Following the defeat and dispersal of the rebel hosts, in July 1798 ...

said "in her first leading role, Weldon sparkles with screen presence, belts out a fine version of

Crowded House Crowded House are an Australian-New Zealand rock band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria (state), Victoria, Australia, in 1985. Its founding members were Neil Finn (vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter) and Paul Hester (drums), who were both for ...

's "Fall at Your Feet", and comfortably holds her own with the subtly expressive Gillen, a

Tony Tony may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tony the Tiger, cartoon mascot for Frosted Flakes cereal * Tony (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Gregory Tony (born 1978), American law enforcement officer * ...

nominee on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

and one of Ireland's finest actors. Connolly propels the narrative with the keen sense of pacing and atmosphere he brought to ''Flick''." In an article in ''

The Sunday Times ''The Sunday Times'' is a British Sunday newspaper whose circulation makes it the largest in Britain's quality press market category. It was founded in 1821 as ''The New Observer''. It is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of N ...

'' subtitled ''Irish Film Grows Up'', Gerry McCarthy concludes "Flawed, though it is, ''Trouble With Sex'' is proof that a film can be commercially viable without being loud or juvenile. Cinema, driven by special effects, has moved away from naturalism. Connolly shows that catching a reflection of contemporary life remains a valid aspiration for a film-maker. The mirror may be clouded in places, but we still need to see our reflection from time to time."

Awards

Renée Weldon won the Best Actress in a Leading Role for Trouble With Sex at the 2005

Irish Film & Television Awards The IFTA Film & Drama Awards are awards given by the Irish Film & Television Academy for Irish television and film. The awards were first presented in 1999. The ceremonies recognise Irish creative talent working in film, drama, and television, a ...

. The film was nominated in 8 categories, including Best Irish Film, Best Director, Best Director of Photography, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Editing.

Release

The film received a domestic theatrical release opening in cinemas on 6 May 2005.

Home media

Xtra-vision Xtra-vision was a video, film and music retailer that operated across the island of Ireland. Founded in 1979, it had 200 shops at its peak before running into financial difficulties, changing ownership a number of times, and ultimately closing ...

produced the Region 2 DVD that came out in September 2005. Arkles Entertainment released a further Region 2 DVD in August 2009.
/ref>

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, id=0384847, title=Trouble with Sex * ''Trouble With Sex'
trailer
* Watch ''Trouble With Sex'

*

Fintan Connolly Fintan Connolly is an Irish film director, screenwriter and producer living in Dublin. Much of his earlier work was in television documentaries which explored social issues in Ireland. He has also made films, including '' Flick'' (2000), '' Tro ...

Interview with Tanya Warren "Trouble With Sex in cinemas

* Renée Weldon Interview with Tara Brady "Let's Talk About Sex

Trouble With Sex official website

Making Trouble With Sex
2005 films Irish drama films 2005 drama films Films set in Dublin (city) 2000s English-language films 2000s Irish films