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Irish Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski: A romance novel in two parts
Ordinary Love Author : Marie Rutkoski ISBN-13 : 978-0349146881 Publisher : Virago Guideline Price : £16.99 Ordinary Love, Virago and Little Brown's 'lead literary fiction' for 2025, is a novel of two parts. In the strong opening half we're given the separation of Jack and Emily. They've been together for about 10 years, have two children and their dynamic is defined by a significant imbalance in their finances (he earns and she doesn't). Cue fascinating, stomach-curdling depictions of everyday coercion, of love-bombing after rages and, on her part, a willed blindness that's finally faltering. While this account is obviously fictional, the unheimlich experience of self-doubt and doublethink required to endure and finally recognise the methods of a controlling partner is done so well, one isn't surprised to read that Rutkoski has 'drawn on her own experience of going through a divorce at 40 as a mother of two, and then entering a queer relationship'. Initially, the second half of the book, which consists of this rekindling of the relationship between Emily and her first love from high school, Gen, is excellently done. It's everything a romance novel (because no matter how many allusions to the Greeks and Harvard you put in, this is, like so much 'literary fiction' marketed today, a good, old-fashioned romance novel) ought to be; thrilling, heart-wrenching and genuinely arousing. The sex scenes between Gen and Emily are gorgeously written, graphic without being seedy, detailed without the detail feeling gratuitous. READ MORE Alas, as soon as this relationship starts to enter the Ross-and-Rachel-esque second and third rounds of well-intentioned misunderstandings and innocent untruths, one's patience grows thin. I get the impression, from the somewhat cliched meta-narrative in the book, in which Emily's new agent tells her that her book's ending needs to be padded out, that perhaps there was pressure on Rutkoski to do the same. If so, they've done her a disservice. The protracted romantic tension is irritating rather than exciting. Also, unfortunately, the cast of spunky, ever-understanding friends that pop up here and there are almost too annoying to be borne, and one senses through them Rutkoski's history as a writer of YA and children's fiction. Even so, many readers are desperately seeking accounts of spunky friends and the vicarious comfort of lovers' turmoil, and this novel will no doubt be adored by them.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Saipan: Eagerly awaited Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy movie trailer released
Actor Eanna Hardwicke is seen coming to blows with Steve Coogan in the first trailer for Saipan, which documents one of the most divisive rows in football history. Hardwicke stars as Roy Keane and Coogan takes on the role of Mick McCarthy, the movie will explore the explosive fallout between the pair during Ireland's 2002 World Cup preparations. Keane was sent home following the public quarrel with McCarthy and the incident divided public opinion in Ireland about who was to blame. The newly released trailer hints at a tense and emotional portrayal, including a moment in which Keane's character exclaims, 'You don't ever tell me we're done. I'm just getting started.' Filmmakers Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Good Vibrations, Ordinary Love) direct from a script by Paul Fraser (Heartlands, A Room for Romeo Brass). The film is described as "the definitive account of one of the most fractious fallings-out in the history of sport". The dispute at the heart of the story arose during the team's training camp on the Pacific Island of Saipan. Keane, Ireland's team captain at the time, voiced frustration at what he saw as substandard training facilities and preparations organised by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). Though initially persuaded to stay after expressing a desire to leave the camp, Keane later gave a frank interview criticising the conditions. Following the interview's publication, McCarthy called a team meeting – during which Keane reportedly launched into a blistering verbal attack. Keane told McCarthy: 'I don't rate you as a player, I don't rate you as a manager, and I don't rate you as a person.' He is also said to have added: 'You can stick your World Cup up your a**e.' Shortly after, Keane was sent home from the tournament and the row triggered a nationwide debate. The film is produced by Macdara Kelleher and John Keville for Wild Atlantic Pictures (Evil Dead Rise, Cocaine Bear, Black 47), along with Trevor Birney and Oliver Butler for Fine Point Films (Kneecap, Bobby Sands: 66 Days). Patrick O'Neill, Eoin Egan, and Rachael O'Kane serve as executive producers. No release date has been confirmed yet, but Saipan is due to be in cinemas this summer.
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Watch: Trailer for Saipan movie starring Steve Coogan released as infamous Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane row gets big screen treatment
The film is about the infamous confrontation between iconic Republic of Ireland football captain Roy Keane (Éanna Hardwicke) and his national team manager Mick McCarthy (Steve Coogan) during the team's preparations for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It takes a comedic spin on the events leading up to Ireland's incendiary 2002 World Cup campaign and delves into how the intense rivalry between these two personalities transcended the game, gripping an entire nation and the sporting world. "On the surface, the feud was all about standards, but deep down it was a hugely emotive story of two men whose rivalry and contempt came to surpass the sport they loved. This is the definitive account of one of the most fractious fallings-out in the history of sport,' the promo says. Directed by award-winning filmmakers Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Good Vibrations, Ordinary Love) and based on an original script by Paul Fraser (Heartlands, A Room for Romeo Brass), SAIPAN stars BAFTA nominated Éanna Hardwicke (Lakelands, The Sixth Commandment) as Roy Keane, with two-time Academy Award® nominee Steve Coogan (Philomena, The Reckoning) as Mick McCarthy. Supporting cast include Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Jamie Beamish (Derry Girls), Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders), Harriet Cains (Bridgerton) and Peter McDonald (The Batman). The film is produced by Macdara Kelleher and John Keville for Wild Atlantic Pictures (Evil Dead Rise, Cocaine Bear, Black 47) along with Trevor Birney and Oliver Butler for Fine Point Films (Kneecap, No Stone Unturned) with Patrick O'Neill and Rachael O'Kane serving as Executive Producers. The Saipan movie will be released later this year.
The Journal
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Watch: Saipan teaser trailer lands as Keane–McCarthy feud set for big-screen revival
Vertigo Releasing / YouTube THE FIRST TRAILER for Saipan, the upcoming film portraying one of the most divisive episodes in Irish football history, has been released this morning. Directed by Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Ordinary Love, Good Vibrations), Saipan recounts the events surrounding Roy Keane's dramatic departure from the Republic of Ireland's training camp ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The film centres on Keane's well-documented dispute with then-manager Mick McCarthy — a row that not only altered the course of Ireland's tournament, but also sparked one of the most significant public debates in the country's sporting history. Cork actor Éanna Hardwicke plays Keane, while Steve Coogan takes on the role of McCarthy. The newly released trailer hints at a tense and emotional portrayal, including a moment in which Keane's character exclaims, 'You don't ever tell me we're done. I'm just getting started.' Éanna Hardwicke as Roy Keane. Vertigo Vertigo The dispute at the heart of the story arose during the team's training camp on the Pacific island of Saipan. Keane, the team captain, voiced frustration at what he saw as substandard training facilities and preparations organised by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). Advertisement Though initially persuaded to stay after expressing a desire to leave the camp, Keane later gave a frank interview criticising the conditions. Following the interview's publication, McCarthy called a team meeting – during which Keane reportedly launched into a blistering verbal attack. According to accounts from those present, Keane told McCarthy: 'I don't rate you as a player, I don't rate you as a manager, and I don't rate you as a person.' He is also said to have added: 'You can stick your World Cup up your a**e.' Shortly after, Keane was sent home from the tournament. The incident triggered a nationwide split in opinion. Some viewed Keane as someone who demanded higher standards and was standing up for professionalism, while others saw his actions as a betrayal of the team at a crucial moment. Keane did not return to play for Ireland until 2004, after McCarthy had stepped down as manager. Saipan is produced by Wild Atlantic Pictures (Black 47, Evil Dead Rise) and Fine Point Films (No Stone Unturned, Kneecap). Steve Coogan as Mick McCarthy Vertigo Vertigo The supporting cast includes Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Jamie Beamish (Derry Girls), Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders), Harriet Cains (Bridgerton) and Peter McDonald (The Batman). Although an exact release date has yet to be confirmed, Saipan is scheduled to arrive in Irish cinemas this summer. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
First-look trailer for Saipan movie starring Steve Coogan released
The film is about the infamous confrontation between iconic Republic of Ireland football captain Roy Keane (Éanna Hardwicke) and his national team manager Mick McCarthy (Steve Coogan) during the team's preparations for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It takes a comedic spin on the events leading up to Ireland's incendiary 2002 World Cup campaign and delves into how the intense rivalry between these two personalities transcended the game, gripping an entire nation and the sporting world. "On the surface, the feud was all about standards, but deep down it was a hugely emotive story of two men whose rivalry and contempt came to surpass the sport they loved. This is the definitive account of one of the most fractious fallings-out in the history of sport,' the promo says. Directed by award-winning filmmakers Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Good Vibrations, Ordinary Love) and based on an original script by Paul Fraser (Heartlands, A Room for Romeo Brass), SAIPAN stars BAFTA nominated Éanna Hardwicke (Lakelands, The Sixth Commandment) as Roy Keane, with two-time Academy Award® nominee Steve Coogan (Philomena, The Reckoning) as Mick McCarthy. Supporting cast include Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Jamie Beamish (Derry Girls), Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders), Harriet Cains (Bridgerton) and Peter McDonald (The Batman). The film is produced by Macdara Kelleher and John Keville for Wild Atlantic Pictures (Evil Dead Rise, Cocaine Bear, Black 47) along with Trevor Birney and Oliver Butler for Fine Point Films (Kneecap, No Stone Unturned) with Patrick O'Neill and Rachael O'Kane serving as Executive Producers. The Saipan movie will be released later this year.
