Evelyn (2002)

In the frosty aftermath of Christmas 1953, Dubliner Desmond Doyle’s world shatters when his wife abandons their family. Struggling with unemployment and the biting reality of raising his three children, Evelyn, Dermot, and Maurice alone, his circumstances become a beacon for the scrutinizing eyes of the Irish authorities. They swiftly conclude that a house without a woman's touch is unfit for children, and the Doyle offspring are torn from their father's grasp and deposited into the austere confines of Church-run orphanages. As Desmond reels from this devastating loss, he finds an unexpected beacon of hope in a sympathetic judge who assures him that his children will return home once he secures employment. But the path to reunification is fraught with hurdles. During their separation, young Evelyn endures tormenting abuse in the austere confines of her orphanage, her plight stoking the fires of Desmond's determination. As he grapples with the harsh realities of his situation, he marshals an unlikely team consisting of a compassionate barmaid, her brother, her smitten suitor, and a hard-drinking footballer. Together, they forge a spirited resistance against the system, embarking on a tireless journey through the labyrinth of the courts to reclaim the Doyle children from their bleak existence. "Evelyn" is a stirring tale of resilience and the power of familial bonds, set against the grim backdrop of 1950s Dublin, painting a poignant picture of a father's relentless fight to reunite his fragmented family.

Evelyn is a drama movie featuring Stephen Rea.

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