Film Reviews

If I Should Fall From Grace: Shane McGowan

• Rating:
• Director: Sarah Share.
• Starring: Shane MacGowan, The Nipple Erectors, The Pogues, The Popes.
• Details: Ire / 93 mins / (15PG).

Occasionally difficult but an ultimately entertaining insight into Shane McGowan, If I Should Fall From Grace With God is a candid look at the life and times of the man many consider one of the great poets of his era. Made with the cooperation of McGowan, Sarah Share's movie features candid interviews with the singer and his celebrity mates to a bid to understand the former Pogues' singer motivations. As you'd expect, McGowan seems inebriated and out of it for most of his time on camera, but when exposed to his songwriting, there's little denial of his talent. Most interestingly, however, is Share's admirable refusal to paint her subject of flattering light. Enthralling stuff.

Review by Garreth Murphy