Evelyn (2002): The Story of a Father's Love

Young actress Sophie Vavasseur (left) poses with the real-life Evelyn Doyle, whose childhood served as the inspiration for United Artists' drama young actress SOPHIE VAVASSEUR (left)

I picked up the movie Evelyn (2002) at the local library. Just by reading the cover and seeing “true story” piqued my interest. Honestly I never had heard of it before. Since I have a growing interest in politics and as a conservative and as a Christian “family” is very important. Here is a story of a government taking children from their parent and the parent having to fight for the right to love, nurture and raise their own children.

A REVIEW

By way of introduction here is a quick summary of the movie as found on http://www.imdb.com/.

“This is the story of how Desmond Doyle fought the Irish government to have his children (Evelyn, Dermot, and Maurice) released back into his custody. After his wife desserts him, leaving behind the children also, the government takes his children until such a time as the unmarried, currently unemployed Desi "can improve his circumstances". Much to his naive and broken heart's dismay, he later realizes that once the government has them, it intends to keep them from living in a paternal, one parent home. It tells the story of this man's journey becoming a better man and father. It also tells the story of the incidents behind the over turning of an unconstitutional law which had never been successfully challenged. Played brilliantly by Pierce Brosnan (who was born in Ireland) with Alan Bates taking on the role of the ex-barrister (retired) who changed the course of Irish family history. Sophie Vavasseur does an excellent job in the title role of Evelyn. Not over played or pretentious, this is a quiet must see for those who like to see real life with some happy endings.”

The above summary captures the heartwarming story. It is the story of courage and love. It shows the love of a father for his children.

LESSONS LEARNED

The powerful Catholic (state Church) Church is seen to be in cahoots with the state (Ireland), in essence partnering to separate children from their parents. I think our Founders had the wisdom to prohibit our government from sanctioning or approving any one denomination like Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church or England and the Anglican Church. Despite what the leftists in this country contend, however, the Founders never intended that there would be an absolute separation of God from the state, just that no one denomination would have advantage of another. The leftists have conspired to usurp the right of Americans in many ways to express their faith, contrary to the Constitution and the will of our Forefathers.

Besides being a good, wholesome family movie, this movie teaches the lessons of the importance of family and the need to stand up for your rights when necessary even if the odds seem insurmountable. The movie reminds me of the movie Wilberforce.

RATING

gregjaye rates this movie a **** ½ out of *****