Rory O'Shea Was Here

Rory O'Shea has muscular dystrophy, and the disease has forced the young man into a wheelchair.  He hasn't let the disease effect his abilities as a charismatic talker, though.  He uses that talk to provoke people, and challenge settled opinions.  At the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, he meets Michael Connolly, a resident with cerebral palsy.  Rory (James McAvoy)  and Michael (Steven Robertson) become friends, portrayed in excellent performances by McAvoy and Robertson. 

II.

Rory has come to Carrigmore with reluctance.  He would rather live independently, but his application for the allowance to make that happen has been denied.  Michael becomes convinced to apply for the same allowance.  At his hearing before the board, Rory comes along as interpreter, for the cerebral palsy has altered Michael's speech so that it requires Rory's interpretation.  The board rules in Michael's favour, and to Rory's benefit, he is allowed to go with Michael as his interpreter-housemate.

In their new apartment, it soon becomes clear that Michael and Rory need an assistant.  They choose a young woman, Siobhan (Romola Garai).  Michael develops an attraction to Siobhan.  At a costume party, Michael seeks to express his feelings to her.  Not sharing those feelings, and wishing to avoid further awkwardness, Siobhan resigns from her assistant position.

III.

There is another loss to come after Siobhan leaves, but the reader will have to learn about that for themselves.  To focus on loss would be a misrepresentation of Rory O'Shea Was Here (Damien O'Donnell, 2004) as a whole, anyway.  It wouldn't properly account for the vital, radiant quality of the film, that which also makes Rory O'Shea a moving experience.