Parallel

Summary:

Michael owes money to Dublin’s meanest gangster, Darren Perrier. When the debt is called in Brenda, Michael’s recently “dumped” and suicidal best friend, accidentally shoots dead one of his goons. To make matters worse Michael’s estranged father, Jim, arrives just in time to witness the scene. With a bounty on their heads Michael, Jim and Brenda flee to the mountains.

On the run with his eccentric father, who’s convinced he’ll die the next time he sleeps, and an increasingly morose Brenda, Michael is about to lose his mind. But as the net tightens and the helter-skelter chase reaches its climax he is forced to forgive his father and confront his true feelings for Brenda. With every hard man in Dublin on their trail it looks like Michael won’t make it through the next 24 hours; however, The Grim Reaper and a gang of savage dogs have a funny way of intervening.

THE CHARACTERS:

CILLIAN MURPHY IS MICHAEL – An emotional wreck who finds himself owing money he can’t pay to loan shark and gangster Darren Perrier. Going on the run with his estranged Dad and his broken-hearted neighbour Brenda, he finds himself in situations beyond his control with the clock ticking and now a bounty on his head.

JODIE WHITTAKER IS BRENDA – Broken-hearted and suicidal after another failed relationship and having accidentally killed one of Perrier’s hitmen, Brenda finds herself on the run with Michael and Jim.

JIM BROADBENT IS JIM – The estranged father of Michael who believes The Grim Reaper is about to take him unless he can stay awake. However, family comes first and as the story evolves the classic dysfunctional father-son relationship disappears and Michael and Jim reach an understanding that gives them both solace.

BRENDAN GLEESON IS PERRIER - A hard-nosed villain who is owed money by Michael and who sets the bounty on his head. He considers himself a sensitive soul but all his power comes from the baseball bat and the gun.

MICHAEL MCELHATTON IS IVAN – One of Perrier’s many hard men who hassles and harangues Michael. However he has a hidden secret, that he has a gay lover in fellow heavy Orlando.

DON WYCHERLEY IS ORLANDO – Another of Perrier’s hard men who comes to an untimely death at the hands of Brenda.

LIAM CUNNINGHAM IS THE MUTT – A small time hoodlum with bad dress sense and a keen desire to go up in the underworld.

BRENDAN COYLE IS JEROME – One of The Savage Canine Vernacular, whose love of his dog Achilles causes Perrier’s ultimate downfall.

CONLETH HILL IS RUSS – Another hard man with a soft spot for his dog.