The Playboys (1992)
A defiant woman, a jealous constable, and a troupe of traveling actors collide in 1950s rural Ireland in this quietly powerful romantic drama.
The Playboys - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1992
- Directed by: Gillies MacKinnon
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 22, 1992 (United States - PG-13), May 6, 1993 (Germany - 12)
- Production Companies: The Samuel Goldwyn Company, Green Umbrella Ltd.
- Production Countries: Ireland, United Kingdom, United States of America
The Playboys - Plot
A young woman, Tara Maguire (Robin Wright) scandalizes her provincial Irish village in the 1950s by having a baby out of a wedlock, and refusing to name the father. She has a rare beauty and every man in town desires her, especially Sergeant Hegarty (Albert Finney). The arrival of a dramatic troupe stirs things up even more, especially when she falls in love with one f the "Playboys", Tom Casey (Aidan Quinn).
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The Playboys - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Gillies MacKinnon
Main Cast
- Albert Finney
- Aidan Quinn
- Robin Wright
- Milo O'Shea
- Alan Devlin
- Niamh Cusack
- Niall Buggy
- Ian McElhinney
- Stella McCusker
- Anna Livia Ryan
Writers
- Kerry Crabbe
- Shane Connaughton
Producers
- Simon Perry
- William P. Cartlidge
The Playboys - FAQs
What is The Playboys about?
The Playboys is set in a small Irish village in the 1950s, where a fiercely independent young woman named Tara Maguire causes a scandal by having a child out of wedlock and refusing to reveal the father's identity. When a traveling theater troupe rolls into town, she falls for one of its charming performers, igniting jealousy and conflict.
Who are the main actors in The Playboys?
The film stars Robin Wright as the spirited Tara Maguire, Albert Finney as the obsessive Constable Brendan Hegarty, and Aidan Quinn as the charismatic traveling actor Tom Casey. The supporting cast includes Milo O'Shea, Niamh Cusack, Alan Devlin, and Niall Buggy, among others.
Is The Playboys based on a true story?
The Playboys is not based on a specific true story, but it draws deeply from the social realities of 1950s rural Ireland. Screenwriter Shane Connaughton, who co-wrote My Left Foot, crafted the script from an intimate understanding of Irish village life, giving the story a vivid, authentic feel rooted in the era's cultural tensions.
Why does Albert Finney's character obsess over Tara?
Constable Hegarty is a man consumed by unrequited desire and wounded pride. He holds real power in the village and genuinely wants Tara, but she refuses him entirely. Her defiance — both of social convention and of him personally — drives his obsession into something darker, making him one of the film's most compelling and tragic figures.
When was The Playboys released?
The Playboys opened in the United States on April 22, 1992, with a PG-13 rating. It later received a release in Germany on May 6, 1993. The film was a co-production between Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, distributed by The Samuel Goldwyn Company.
What is the age rating for The Playboys?
The Playboys carries a PG-13 rating in the United States, meaning some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. The film deals with themes of social shame, desire, jealousy, and moral conflict in a conservative 1950s Irish community, but handles them with a largely restrained, dramatic sensibility.
What films are similar to The Playboys?
If you enjoy The Playboys, you might also love Breakfast on Pluto (2005) for its Irish setting and outsider spirit, Jules and Jim (1962) for its romantic triangle dynamics, or The Boys & Girl from County Clare (2003) for its warmly drawn Irish community. The Illusionist (2006) shares a similar traveling-performer romantic thread.
Who directed and wrote The Playboys?
The Playboys was directed by Scottish filmmaker Gillies MacKinnon, known for his sensitive character-driven work. The screenplay was written by Kerry Crabbe and Shane Connaughton, the latter of whom drew on his deep familiarity with Irish rural life. Jean-Claude Petit composed the film's evocative score.
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