Film Review: Disco Pigs (2001)
Starring Cillian Murphy and Elaine Cassidy
Although it never made its way to Hollywood, Disco Pigs was a successful independent film when it was released in 2001. Starring Cillian Murphy and Elaine Cassidy, Disco Pigs is based on the play of the same name, by Enda Walsh, who also adapted the screenplay, directed by Kirsten Sheridan.
Pig and Runt are Inseparable in Disco Pigs
Disco Pigs follows the lives of Pig (played by Cillian Murphy) and Runt (Elaine Cassidy), known to others as Darin and Sinead. Pig and Runt were born on the same day in the same town; they were placed in cribs next to one another just after their births, and since then, they have been the best of friends. They are so close, in fact, that their friendship would be considered unhealthy by anyone outside of their world.
Pig and Runt do everything together, and they happen to have a taste for causing trouble for those around them, whether it be by stealing money from a liquor store, or simply by inflicting violence on a “pal.” Things have been going well for the friends, who are practically one person, until Pig starts to have new feelings for Runt – feelings of love and lust. Pig’s sexual awakening throws a wrench in his relationship with Runt, and there is no way to avoid the massive change about to impact their lives.
Disco Pigs a Highly Theatrical Film Experience
In watching Disco Pigs, it is evident that the film is based on a play. Writer Enda Walsh is successful at adapting the script into a screenplay, but also brilliantly maintains many of its highly theatrical moments. Pig, for example, recites a monologue in the film that is almost word for word from the original script, and yet it doesn’t feel awkward on screen – it flows smoothly, grabs the audience’s attention and keeps a strong hold on it.
Other aspects of the film, such as the fact that Pig and Runt’s homes are so close to one another that they can talk through holes in their walls before bed every night, and then fall asleep holding hands through the same holes, are highly theatrical in a manner that only film can truly portray. The mixture of these stage and screen elements work beautifully together.
So, whether you’re a fan of theatre or film (or both), Disco Pigs will appeal to your senses. And if you’re a fan of Cillian Murphy, who is now quite the Hollywood sensation, Disco Pigs is a must-see – it’s one of his earliest film appearances, and one of his strongest performances.
Disco Pigs Trivia
- Disco Pigs was filmed mainly in Cork City, Ireland, where the play was also originally set. If you’re familiar with the city, you can recognize landmarks like Shandon Steeple in the film.
- Cork also happens to be the hometown of actor Cillian Murphy, so Disco Pigs allowed Murphy to speak in his natural accent and film on location at home.
- Cillian Murphy played Pig in the original stage version of Disco Pigs, opposite actress Eileen Walsh.
- Irish musician Gavin Friday, who plays Billy Hatchett in Breakfast on Pluto opposite Cillian Murphy, composed the score for Disco Pigs along with Maurice Seezer.
- The song, “So New,” played during the closing credits of Disco Pigs, was written and performed by Cillian Murphy, who also sings “You Really Got Me” (originally by Van Halen) during the film.
Discover more amazing Irish films here.
Cillian Murphy and Elaine Cassidy in Disco Pigs
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Cillian Murphy in Disco Pigs
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Film Review of Disco Pigs, Starring Cillian Murphy
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Disco Pigs By Enda Walsh
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Cillian Murphy and Elaine Cassidy in Disco Pigs
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