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The Problem With People confirms that Colm Meaney (Save The Cinema) has been 70 years old for his entire life. He’s now just a shade over that, but this shot in 2023, so he would’ve finally been spot-on for that age at the time of filming.
Despite the gorgeous backdrops of Ireland, the mood is spoiled when his Dad, Fergus (Des Keogh – Sing Street), continues to moan about dying, and local battleaxe Orla (Sheila Flitton – The Banshees of Inisherin) comes to say goodbye because they have a long-standing, mutural hatred.
Fergus’ dying wish is for far-away cousin Barry (Paul Reiser – Beverly Hills Cop Axel F) to be tracked down and brought over from the USA to Ireland, to try and make amends for the fact that both sides of the family have been at loggerheads for generations.
The backstory is that two brothers planned to move from Ireland to America, but at the point where they were about to get on the boat, one was distracted by a hottie with red hair, missed the boat, and never set sail. The pair never met up again, nor spoke at any point, and didn’t even know what happened to each other. Yet, they were both angry about it, hence the rift. That man who stayed in Ireland, was Fergus’ granddad.
After showing us early on, how Barry has prostate problems when he’s stressed, The Problem With People is a typical mismatch comedy, all too often, while the childish spat is ridiculous for two grown men and seeps into this new friendship, other storylines get forgotten about, and while you just know everything will be hunky dory by the end, this film is all about the journey, rather than the destination.
That said, aside from a particularly stupid ending, it’s a pleasant enough 90 minutes or so before the end credits kick in.
The Problem With People is in cinemas now, and is available to pre-order on DVD, ahead of its release date of January 13th 2025.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 102 minutes
Release date: November 8th 2024
Studio: Universal Pictures
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Cinema: Odeon Trafford Centre
Rating: 6/10
Director: Chris Cottam
Producers: Max Brady, Chris Cottam, Paul Reiser
Screenplay: Wally Marzano-Lesnevich, Paul Reiser
Music: Steven Argila
Cast:
Ciáran: Colm Meaney
Barry: Paul Reiser
Fiona: Lucianne McEvoy
Natalya: Jane Levy
Fergus: Des Keogh
Orla: Sheila Flitton
Nurse Siobhan: Esther Ayo James
Martin Cooney: Aidan Jordan
Padraig: Patrick Martins
Nurse Margaret Mary: Deirdre Monaghan
Sgt Lizzie McGrath: Eimear Morrissey
Father Brogan: Michael Mullen
Widow: Bernadette Carty
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.