Two Irish brothers struggle growing up in Boston, without any sense of real security or having someone to look up to the older brother Terry is going down a bad path of drugs and crime while his younger brother Cole's dream is to play baseball and compete in the state championship. But Cole is having a hard time avoiding being drawn into the bad ways of his brother and not having a family that really supports what he wants to do. Soon the two path's each brother leads catches up to them and in a act of violence their whole world is changed forever.

A few things I read about this movie was it had a simple story but that could not be further from the truth. Black Irish is one of those films that might look simple from outside but is really a multi-layered coming-of-age film on the inside. Each member of the family is a character that is so real that anyone can relate to them and more importantly feel what they are going through. For instance young Cole's character is one that feels at times over-protected yet at times abandoned by his family, also he has no one to look up to as an influence in his life and the feelings he has we all can feel. This is a magnificent piece of not only writing but directing by Brad Gann, he's create a perfect coming-of-age film, possibly one of the best I have seen in some time. The actors are perfectly cast as well, each actor brings out all the emotions needed to bring their character to life. I have not watched a film that I cared so much about it's characters as I have here in a long time. It's also good to note that the film does contain some light humor to offset the drama but the blend together seamlessly. This is one film that deserved a bigger audience in theaters but at least now that it's on DVD everyone can see a film that reminded me why I love movies so much, Black Irish pulls at your heart strings and never lets them go. Released by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment. ***** Out Of *****