by 4 (2 ) Movie Review

I used to go to a theatre that showed a lot of international flicks without subtitles. I figured it would be my only chance to see some of these things, so I'd show up anyway and plow through a single-spaced four-page synopsis and try to struggle through the movies as best I could. Jimmy Smallhorne, who founded the Irish Bronx Theatre, has assembled an impressive cast for his first film as director, screenwriter, and star, but 2 by 4 needs subtitles or a single-spaced four-page synopsis or something; thick Irish brogues all over the place plus heavy consumption of alcohol means that you're always missing some line or other. It's about construction foreman Johnnie (Smallhorne), complete with wretched childhood, drunken uncle (Chris O'Neill as Trump), and nice girl friend (Kimberly Topper as Maria). Faster than you can sing “Johnnie, Are You Queer?,” Johnnie's looking for action with Christian, a flirtatious hustler (Bradley Fitts). 2 by 4 does nothing to allay the convention al wisdom that the Irish are an unhappy, messed-up, pugnacious lot, whatever their sexual inclinations may be. The gifted Declan Quinn won an award for 2 by 4’s cinematography.

1998 90m/C Jimmy Smallhorne, Chris O'Neill, Bradley Fitts, Joe Holyoake, Terrence McGoff, Michael Liebman, Ronan Carr, Leo Hamill, Seamus McDonagh, Kimberly Topper; D: Jimmy Smallhorne; W: Fergus Tighe, Jimmy Smallhorne, Terrence McGoff; C: Declan Quinn. Sundance Film Festival ‘98: Best Cinematography. VHS