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WHEN BRENDAN MET TRUDY Send This Review to a Friend
The offbeat, defiant spirit of "When Brendan Met Trudy" recalls the elan of some of the films that emanated from England during the "swinging London" days of the 1960s. No matter that this import directed by Kieron J. Walsh from a script by Roddy Dolye ("The Commitments" and "The Snapper") is set in Dublin. Mischief is afoot, which becomes evident at the outset when Brendan (Peter McDonald) is lying face down in a gutter puddle and provides a playful narration satirically paralleling the opening of the movie classic "Sunset Boulevard."
Brendan, who has become a lackluster teacher, is a movie buff, which provides the occasion for other movie references. His uptight life changes for him when he meets Trudy (Flora Montgomery), supposedly a Montessori teacher. She breaks the first date with him, but Brendan goes after her and the relationship blossoms with some torrid sex hitherto unknown to Brendan. His life opens up, but dealing with the impulsive Trudy can be difficult and events lead to a breakup. Trudy, by the way, happens to get her kicks out of her real career--being a burglar.
Trudy comes back to Brendan after he is seen on television demonstrating against the deportation of a Nigerian refugee with whom he and Trudy have become friendly. But there's a hitch. Brendan has to agree to take part in a robbery. He does, but goes one better, coming up with the idea of robbing new school computers.
This is all very funny, and you know things have to go wrong, but their misguided anti-social behavior cements their relationship and adds to our enjoyment. Both McDonald and Montgomery are fun to watch, and although the film seems featherweight at first it gathers momentum as it goes along with the plot inventions of Doyle, the winsome acting by its stars and the comedic touch of its first-time director Walsh. "When Brendan Met Trudy" is a light but enjoyable romp given exposure as part of the Shooting Gallery release series.
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