The Halo Effect

"Gambling's not a problem... The problem's not winning"

2004 1h 37m EN

🙌

8.0

BANGER

★8.0TMDB · 1

Comedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Fatso is the proprietor of what may be the worst eaterie in the city, and is struggling to keep a sinking ship afloat. His compulsive gambling is getting the better of him and he has to contend with an endless succession of loan sharks and debt collectors. He employs hopelessly incompetent staff and generally manages to keep the entire community around him ticking over. However just as Fatso seems to be getting everything under control, he is faced with a dilemma that could destroy him for good.

“Gambling's not a problem... The problem's not winning”

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Cast

Stephen Rea
Fatso
Grattan Smith
Mick
Kerry Condon
Jean
Brendan Cauldwell
Old Man Willie
John Kavanagh
Stan
Mick Lally
Father McKenzie
Fiona O'Shaughnessy
Suzie
Willie Higgins
Rooster

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Lance Daly
Writers: Lance Daly
Languages: English
Countries: Ireland

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 22 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Lance Daly, shot by Ivan McCullough. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by GoBlimpsGo. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Lance Daly shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Stephen Rea and Grattan Smith and Kerry Condon carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Gambling's not a problem... The problem's not winning".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0347138 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Lance Daly directs. Ivan McCullough behind the camera. GoBlimpsGo scores. Lance Daly cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Ireland. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 22 years ago.
2Directed by Lance Daly, shot by Ivan McCullough. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by GoBlimpsGo. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Lance Daly shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Stephen Rea and Grattan Smith and Kerry Condon carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Gambling's not a problem... The problem's not winning".
7IMDB entry: tt0347138 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.