The Commitments

Main Plot

"The Commitments," directed by Alan Parker, is an energetic musical comedy-drama that explores the formation and journey of a soul band in the working-class neighborhoods of Dublin, Ireland. The story begins with Jimmy Rabbitte, an ambitious young music enthusiast, who dreams of forming the world's greatest soul band. Inspired by the soul music that dominated the American music scene, Jimmy places an ad in the local newspaper and holds auditions in his parents' home. After a series of humorous and chaotic auditions, Jimmy assembles a group of unlikely musicians and vocalists, each bringing their own unique flair and personal struggles to the band. As the newly formed band, The Commitments, start to rehearse, they face numerous challenges, including internal conflicts, financial difficulties, and personal issues that threaten to tear them apart. Despite these obstacles, the band starts to gain recognition for their powerful performances, capturing the gritty spirit of soul music. The film highlights the transformative power of music, the resilience of dreams, and the dynamics of a diverse group coming together to create something beautiful, yet fleeting.

Characters

• Robert Arkins plays Jimmy Rabbitte, the band manager who forms and leads the soul band, guiding its members through their musical journey and internal conflicts.
• Michael Aherne plays Steven Clifford, the keyboardist for the band, contributing to their musical performances and group dynamics.
• Angeline Ball plays Imelda Quirke, a backup singer in the band, contributing to the soulful dynamic and interpersonal relationships within the group.

Ending Explained

At the end of "The Commitments," directed by Alan Parker, the band experiences a tumultuous breakup despite their growing success in Dublin's music scene. The film concludes with the band members going their separate ways after internal conflicts and egos become too much to handle. The climax occurs during their biggest concert, where various personal conflicts and tensions among the band members come to a head, leading to an on-stage argument and physical altercation. The conclusion of the movie sees Jimmy Rabbitte, the band's manager, reflecting on the band's brief, meteoric career. He is approached by a journalist for an interview about the rise and fall of The Commitments. Jimmy downplays the band's breakup as just another rock and roll casualty but remains optimistic about the future. He walks away, musing about starting a new band, indicating his resilience and unchanged passion for music. The ending underscores the themes of the film: the fleeting nature of success, the impact of personal dynamics on collective endeavors, and the enduring spirit of music and ambition. Despite the band's dissolution, the experience leaves a lasting impression on each member, suggesting that the soul of the music they created together will endure beyond their separation.