Decades after its release, Intermission remains a definitive piece of Irish cinema. It captured a transition period in Dublin’s history and provided a platform for actors like Murphy and Farrell before they became icons in major blockbusters like Oppenheimer or The Banshees of Inisherin . By focusing on the "destructive nature" of connections rather than romanticized myths, the film remains a robust and "soulful" exploration of the ordinary chaos of life.
Six of the best: Irish films (or: post-colonial homesick blues) Intermission (2003)
The film’s strength lies in its massive ensemble cast, many of whom were on the cusp of international stardom. Cillian Murphy portrays John, a sensitive but indecisive supermarket worker whose ill-advised "break" from his girlfriend, Deirdre (Kelly Macdonald), triggers a chain reaction of chaotic events. Alongside him, Colin Farrell delivers a magnetic, high-energy performance as Lehiff, a small-time criminal who represents the raw, unpredictable edge of the city. Decades after its release, Intermission remains a definitive