Mickybo and Me

Working Title Films

Industry	Film production
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Films
Parent	Universal Pictures

Mickybo and Me is a 2004 comedy-drama from Northern Ireland, both penned and helmed by Terry Loane. The screenplay draws inspiration from the stage production Mojo Mickybo authored by Owen McCafferty. This film was produced under the banner of Working Title Films and saw distribution through Universal Pictures.

Plot

Taking place in Belfast amid the era known as The Troubles, the narrative centers on two young boys—one from a Catholic background and the other Protestant—who form an unlikely friendship. They are influenced by the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and dream of committing bank robberies before relocating to Australia.

Despite their contrasting religious affiliations, they quickly develop a close bond, adopting the identities of their cinematic heroes. When they mistakenly assume responsibility for an elderly man's death, they set out to flee to Australia. Their journey includes various escapades such as staging a fake bank heist, horseback riding, a fire at a stable, and evading law enforcement. Ultimately, they cross into Ireland before being apprehended.

Upon their return, sectarian conflict impacts their families profoundly; one boy suffers the loss of his father in a related shooting incident, which puts their friendship under considerable strain. The story concludes three decades later with Mickeybo receiving correspondence from Jonjo in Australia containing a toy sheriff’s badge and a family photograph.

Cast

• John Joe McNeill portrays Michael "Mickybo" Boyle
• Niall Wright as John "Jonjo" Wright
• Julie Walters plays Mickybo's mother
• Ciarán Hinds appears as Jonjo's father
• Adrian Dunbar takes on the role of Mickybo's father
• Gina McKee as Jonjo's mother
• Brendan Caskey as "Gank"
• Charlie Clarke as "Fartface"
• Michael McElhatton as the Mechanic

Release

• Featured at the Irish Film Festival of New Zealand
• Screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2004

Nationwide release across Ireland occurred in April 2005

Awards

Victories

• Best Irish Film at the Big Buzz Ireland Entertainment Awards, 2005 • Best Feature Film at the Boston Irish Film Festival, 2005 • Audience Award at Schlingel International Children's Film Festival, Chemnitz, 2005 • CIFEJ Award and Children's Jury Award at OULU International Film Festival, 2005 • Best Children's Film at Tiburon International Film Festival, USA, 2006 • Grand Prix awarded by both International & Children's Juries at Buster Film Festival, Copenhagen, 2006 • Best Director and Best Film honors at Olympia International Youth Film Festival, 2006 • Audience Award for Best Film at Titanic International Film Festival, Budapest, 2007 • Best Costume Design at Irish Film and Television Awards, 2005

Nominations

• Contended for Michael Powell Award for Best British Film at Edinburgh International Film Festival, 2004
• Nominated in categories including Best Film, Screenplay, Breakthrough Talent (Terry Loane), and Production Design at Irish Film and Television Awards, 2005
• Shortlisted for Best Film at Austin Texas Film Festival, 2005

References

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/mickybo-and-me-at-20-a-story-remembered-by-its-writer-producer-and-director/a648336965.html