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The Actors

The Actors is a 2003 Irish comedy-crime film directed by Conor McPherson, following two down-on-their-luck stage actors in Dublin who hatch a scheme to impersonate debt collectors and swindle a local gangster out of money owed to fictional clients.^[1] Starring Michael Caine as the egotistical lead actor Anthony O'Malley and Dylan Moran as his hapless understudy Tom Quirk, the film blends farcical humor with themes of deception and the blurred lines between performance and reality.^[1] With screenplay by McPherson from a story by Neil Jordan, it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2003, and received a theatrical release in the UK on May 16, 2003, with a runtime of 91 minutes.^[2]^[3] The story unfolds during a disastrous production of Shakespeare's Richard III, where O'Malley's immersion in his role leads him to a seedy pub, sparking the con after overhearing about the gangster's debts.^[3] Supporting cast includes Michael Gambon as the intimidating gangster Barreller, Lena Headey as a pub singer, and Ben Miller in a comedic role, contributing to the film's ensemble dynamic of eccentric characters and escalating mishaps.^[2] Produced by the Irish Film Board and others, The Actors is one of McPherson's early feature films as director, following his success in theater and screenwriting, such as The Weir.^[4] Critically, the film holds a 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on five reviews, praised for its witty script and Caine's charismatic performance but noted for uneven pacing.^[5] With an IMDb user rating of 5.8 out of 10 from over 2,000 votes, it has been described as a lighthearted caper that showcases Irish humor and the acting prowess of its leads, though it underperformed commercially upon release.^[1]

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

The film opens with Anthony O'Malley, a veteran but frustrated stage actor played by Michael Caine, starring as the titular character in a peculiar Nazi-themed production of Shakespeare's Richard III at Dublin's Olympia Theatre. Committed to method acting, O'Malley immerses himself by frequenting a seedy local pub to observe rough characters, where he overhears the gangster Barreller, portrayed by Michael Gambon, lamenting his £50,000 debt to the elusive London gangster Magnani, whom Barreller has never met in person.^[6]^[7] Inspired by the opportunity for quick cash to fund their acting ambitions, O'Malley recruits his struggling young colleague Tom Quirk, played by Dylan Moran—who is also part of the theatre production as a stormtrooper extra—to join the scheme. The duo devises a con where Tom impersonates Clive, Magnani's menacing debt collector from the East End, complete with a fabricated backstory and accent, to extract the money directly from the gullible Barreller. Tom's precocious nine-year-old niece Mary, played by Abigail Iversen, contributes her sharp intellect by refining the plan's details and suggesting improvisations whenever flaws emerge.^[8]^[7] The initial collection goes smoothly, with Tom successfully handing over a fake receipt and pocketing the cash, but comedic mishaps quickly ensue as Tom lingers for a drink and sparks an unexpected romance with Barreller's alluring daughter Dolores, portrayed by Lena Headey. Barreller's growing suspicions prompt violent confrontations, including pub brawls and frantic chases through Dublin streets, forcing the actors into increasingly absurd disguises and deceptions. Additional complications arise from secondary characters, such as the pub owner who witnesses too much and the theatre director whose eccentric demands interrupt their scheming, escalating the chaos as Tom must "kill off" his Clive persona and adopt new roles, like a hitman, to cover their tracks—complete with improvised excuses involving movie props like popcorn simulating gunfire.^[6]^[9] The scam reaches its climax back at the Olympia Theatre during a performance, where the real Magnani, played by Miranda Richardson, arrives demanding her money, leading to a frenzied confrontation amid the ongoing Richard III staging. O'Malley, in a desperate bid, dons drag to impersonate Magnani herself, but the ruse unravels in a barrage of revelations and slapstick violence. The resolution highlights the actors' bumbling incompetence, as the money slips away in the ensuing pandemonium, leaving O'Malley and Quirk to reflect on their failed heist with wry resignation while their theatrical careers remain unchanged.^[6]^[8]

Cast

The principal roles in The Actors are portrayed by Michael Caine as Anthony O'Malley, an aging, hammy theatre actor struggling with a lackluster career who devises a risky con to swindle a local gangster.^[6] Dylan Moran plays Tom Quirk, O'Malley's bumbling and reluctant young sidekick, a fellow out-of-work actor drawn into the scheme despite his reservations.^[6] Supporting the leads is Michael Gambon as Barreller, the suspicious and volatile gangster who becomes the target of the duo's impersonation scam.^[2] Lena Headey portrays Dolores, Barreller's daughter and a figure in the romantic subplot who complicates Quirk's involvement in the con.^[6] Miranda Richardson appears as Mrs. Magnani, the formidable head of a London crime syndicate whom the actors impersonate as part of their ruse.^[10] Additional supporting characters include Michael McElhatton as Jock, who interacts with the protagonists in early scenes, and Michael Colgan as the audition director overseeing the actors' faltering careers.^[2] The film also features minor roles involving impersonated figures central to the con, such as creditors and mob associates, played by actors including Aisling O'Sullivan and Ben Miller.^[2] Notable casting highlights the ensemble's dynamic, with Caine's established British screen presence contrasting the predominantly Irish supporting performers like Moran and McElhatton, enhancing the film's Dublin-set comedic tone.^[11] The Caine-Moran pairing was selected to capture a mentor-protégé chemistry rooted in the script's exploration of acting styles and generational clashes.^[6]

Production

Development

The Actors was developed as Conor McPherson's second feature film as writer and director, following his debut Saltwater in 2000. The script originated from an original story by Neil Jordan, with McPherson adapting it into a screenplay that emphasized comedic elements of deception and performance.^[6]^[12] Drawing from McPherson's background in theatre—where he had gained prominence with plays such as The Weir (1997)—the script incorporated themes of farce and impersonation, reflecting his observations of Dublin's acting community and its blend of stagecraft and everyday pretense.^[13] McPherson's vision centered on a lighthearted exploration of actors navigating moral ambiguity, using humor to probe ideas of identity and redemption without heavy-handed analysis.^[13] Key creative decisions included setting the narrative in contemporary Dublin to ground the story in a recognizable urban environment, while integrating theatrical motifs like a troubled production of Richard III to merge onstage drama with offstage cons.^[12] This approach allowed McPherson to highlight the performative nature of both theatre and street-level schemes, informed by his playwriting roots.^[13] Pre-production took place in early 2002, culminating in principal photography starting on March 11, 2002, for a nine-week schedule in Dublin.^[12] Produced by Stephen Woolley, Neil Jordan, and Redmond Morris, the film secured financing from Irish and UK entities, including the Irish Film Board and FilmFour, with the team casting Michael Caine in a leading role, capitalizing on his international draw to bolster the low-budget independent production.^[12]

Filming

Principal photography for The Actors took place primarily in Dublin, Ireland, capturing the film's urban setting through various local landmarks. Key shooting sites included the Olympia Theatre, which served as the primary location for the stage performance scenes, as well as nearby pubs utilized for the con artist setups and Dublin streets for chase sequences.^[14] Filming commenced on 11 March 2002 and lasted approximately nine weeks, wrapping up in early May. Directed by Conor McPherson, the production emphasized the script's comedic elements, with cinematographer Seamus McGarvey handling the visual style to support the farce's rhythm. Editor Emer Reynolds contributed to post-production by pacing the footage to sustain the film's energetic tempo.^[12]^[15] The shoot encountered no major delays, though minor on-set adjustments were needed for performances, such as ensuring accent authenticity among the cast; Michael Caine, playing an aging English actor, noted the challenges of dialect work in the production, particularly praising co-star Dylan Moran's handling of a Scottish inflection in one sequence.^[16]

Release and Reception

Distribution and Box Office

The Actors had its world premiere at the Savoy Cinema in Dublin on 8 May 2003.^[17] It was subsequently screened at the Cannes Film Festival on 15 May 2003.^[3] In the United Kingdom and Ireland, The Actors was released theatrically on 16 May 2003 by Momentum Pictures, marking the film's primary commercial rollout.^[7] Distribution in Ireland was supported by Bord Scannán na hÉireann (the Irish Film Board), which had co-financed the production. The release strategy emphasized the festival circuit and art-house theaters, with no wide international expansion beyond select markets such as Australia, where it opened on 13 May 2004.^[18] There was no significant U.S. theatrical distribution.^[18] The film achieved modest box office results, reflecting its niche appeal as an Irish comedy. In the UK, it earned $368,459 during its opening weekend across 270 screens.^[18] The total worldwide gross reached approximately $767,000, primarily from the UK market ($759,537) and a minimal contribution from Australia ($7,698).^[18]

Critical Response

Upon its 2003 release, The Actors received mixed reviews from critics, with a 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on five reviews.^[5] Empire magazine awarded it 2 out of 5 stars, describing the film as "mildly amusing but not funny enough."^[19] Similarly, The Guardian called it a "shamingly bad comedy," though it acknowledged Michael Caine's "game performance" as providing the only laughs through his portrayal of an eccentric ham actor.^[20] Critics praised the chemistry between Caine and Dylan Moran, highlighting their comedic timing as an engaging duo that carried the film's lighter moments.^[21] Michael Gambon's menacing turn as a gangster was noted for adding intensity to the ensemble, leveraging his authoritative presence effectively.^[6] However, the film faced criticism for its uneven pacing and flimsy plot holes, which undermined the overall coherence and humor.^[21] In retrospective assessments, The Actors holds an average user rating of 5.8 out of 10 on IMDb from 2,045 ratings (as of November 2025).^[1] It has been viewed as an underrated entry in Conor McPherson's oeuvre, with 2020s reevaluations appreciating its low-key Irish humor and the central performances as elements of a cult comedy.^[22]^[21]

Soundtrack and Legacy

Soundtrack

The original score for The Actors was composed by Michael Nyman and performed primarily by The Michael Nyman Band, featuring a mix of orchestral elements like strings and piano alongside minimalist and jazzy influences, including brushed cymbals, vibraphone, and Hammond organ, to heighten the film's farcical tension and comedic beats.^[23]^[24] The soundtrack comprises 19 tracks, with contributions from vocalists such as Dylan Moran, Lena Headey, Cathy Davey, and a children's choir, blending instrumental cues and whimsical songs to support the narrative's blend of theatrical and street-level antics.^[23] The album, titled The Actors: Music from the Motion Picture, was released on 19 May 2003 by EMI Soundtracks in the UK, with a total runtime of approximately 47 minutes.^[24]^[23] Notable tracks include "Wheelchair Chase" (5:08), a frenetic pursuit cue underscoring chase sequences; "Zinc Bar Walk" (2:14), evoking the film's pub scenes with lively brass and percussion; and "Could It Be Love?" (2:23), a duet performed by Moran and Headey that adds humorous romantic flair.^[23] While the album did not achieve commercial chart success, it received praise for demonstrating Nyman's versatility in lighter, carefree compositions following his more dramatic orchestral work on The Piano.^[24]^[25] In the film, Nyman's score facilitates smooth transitions between backstage theatre preparations and chaotic street impersonations, amplifying the humor of the protagonists' schemes through subtle, non-intrusive cues that emphasize timing and absurdity without overshadowing the dialogue-driven comedy.^[24]^[26]

Cultural Impact

The Actors represented Conor McPherson's second feature film as director, succeeding his 2000 debut Saltwater, which adapted his stage play This Lime Tree Bower and marked his initial shift from renowned playwright to filmmaker.^[27]^[28] Both films drew on McPherson's theatrical roots, with The Actors incorporating dialogue-driven humor and ensemble dynamics reminiscent of his stage works like The Weir, bridging his expertise in Irish storytelling across mediums during the early 2000s.^[29] Michael Caine's portrayal of the vain, down-on-his-luck actor Anthony O'Malley provided a comedic highlight, showcasing his versatility in a lighthearted con-artist role amid a career spanning over 100 films.^[6] This appearance coincided with Caine's Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for the dramatic lead in The Quiet American, underscoring his continued prominence at age 70 while contributing to British-Irish cinematic collaborations through co-stars like Dylan Moran and Michael Gambon.^[30] The film's original score by Michael Nyman, featuring frenetic rhythms, vibraphone, and vocal interludes by cast members including Dylan Moran and Lena Headey, earned praise as a "winning combination" in his oeuvre of emotive film music.^[24] Released as a 19-track album by EMI, it integrates Nyman's signature minimalist style—evident in acclaimed works like The Piano—and holds niche appeal among enthusiasts of his discography for its whimsical yet tense underscoring of the comedy's chaotic energy.

References

[1]
The Actors (2003) - IMDb
Rating 5.8/10 (2,043) Two failed actors decide to pull a con on a local gangster by pretending to be the people to whom he owes money.
[2]
The Actors (2003) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
The Actors was directed by Conor McPherson, written by Neil Jordan and Conor McPherson, and stars Michael Caine, Dylan Moran, Michael Gambon, Lena Headey, and ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[3]
The Actors (2003) directed by Conor McPherson • Reviews, film + cast
Rating 3.1 (612) During the run of a particularly awful interpretation of Richard III, the star, Anthony O'Malley, begins to frequent a rough pub to develop his character.
[4]
Fun with 'The Actors' - Irish Examiner
May 16, 2003 · Fun with 'The Actors'. With such a sterling cast to work with, McPherson brings us a cleverly constructed tale of two no-hope actors - Caine ...
[5]
The Actors | Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 60% (5) A second-rate actor (Michael Caine) and a colleague (Dylan Moran) try to swindle money from a group of inept criminals.
[6]
The Actors - Variety
May 12, 2003 · Potentially strong cast is let down by a badly miscast Michael Caine as an aging second-rate thespian who tries scamming some dough from a bunch ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
[7]
Shropshire Films - The Actors - BBC
The amiable, daft tone is captured by award-winning stand-up comic Dylan Moran, who plays Tom - an actor struggling along as a Nazi stormtrooper in a dodgy ...
[8]
The Actors | Reviews - Screen Daily
May 11, 2003 · Petty crook Barreller (Gambon) owes £50,000 to notorious London gangster Magnani (Richardson). The two business associates have never met so ...
[9]
The Actors review at theOneliner.com
He's learned that what he believes to be the local hardcore evildoer, Barreller (Michael Gambon) owes a certain party named Magnani a certain sum of money.
[10]
The Actors
### Summary of Main Cast for "The Actors" (2003)
[11]
Irish Eye on Hollywood
Aug 1, 2003 · ... The Actors. The young Dublin playwright will direct legends Michael Caine and Michael Gambon, as well as Lena Headey and Dylan Moran, in ...
[12]
'The Actors' Commences Principal Photography - Dublin - IFTN
The original story was written by Neil Jordan and adapted by McPherson. THE ACTORS commences shooting 11 March for nine weeks in Dublin. FilmFour ...
[13]
Funny, peculiar | Movies - The Guardian
Jul 12, 2002 · Director-playwright Conor McPherson and actor-comedian Dylan Moran are an odd couple. At work on the set of their new film The Actors, all is smooth.
[14]
The Actors (2003) - Filming & production - IMDb
No readable text found in the HTML.<|control11|><|separator|>
[15]
The Actors | Cast and Crew - Rotten Tomatoes
Lena Headey. Character(s) Dolores. Credit(s) Actor. Ben Miller ... Character(s) Actor in Richard III. Credit(s) Actor. Brian McGrath. Character( ...
[16]
The quiet Englishman | Michael Caine | The Guardian
May 11, 2003 · Instead he leans across eagerly to hear what I thought of the The Actors, a Conor McPherson/Neil Jordan comedy set in Dublin - particularly what ...
[17]
The Actors - UK Films Database
In an out-of-season coastal town in Ireland, the local chippie is on the verge of going under. Ever since his mother's death, Frank (Peter McDonald) has been ...
[18]
The Actors (2003) - Box Office and Financial Information
### Summary of "The Actors" (2003)
[19]
The Actors | Reviews - Rotten Tomatoes
Explore critic and audience reviews for The Actors on Rotten Tomatoes ... Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 28, 2003. Matthew Turner ViewLondon.
[20]
The Actors | Michael Caine | The Guardian
May 15, 2003 · Caine is O'Malley, an ageing ham actor playing Richard III in an absurd Nazi-era staging. (This happens in Dublin; his character is presumably ...
[21]
The Actors - film-authority.com
Aug 14, 2022 · 2003's The Actors is probably the most substantial offering from him ... Two hard-up actors, Tom Quirk (Moran) and Tony O'Malley ...
[22]
Interview with Sir Michael Caine - Irish Cinema Site - Movies.ie
... Conor McPherson's criminally-underrated, Dublin-set comedy The Actors, back in 2003. Back then, Caine's self-important theatre actor memorably told his ...
[23]
Michael Nyman - The Actors - OST
### Summary of Michael Nyman – The Actors OST
[24]
The Michael Nyman Band – The Actors OST | Album Reviews
Album Reviews. The Michael Nyman Band – The Actors OST. (EMI) UK release date: 19 May 2003. by Michael Hubbard published: 19 May 2003 in Album Reviews ...Missing: soundtrack | Show results with:soundtrack
[25]
The Actors (Nyman) - Amazon UK
Rating 5.0 (2) I'm a Michael Nyman completist, owning every CD, and this is one of my favorites. It's the lightest, most carefree music he's ever had the opportunity to write, ...Missing: soundtrack | Show results with:soundtrack
[26]
The Actors | Michael Nyman - Wise Music Classical
Directed by Conor McPherson. Unavailable for performance. Orchestration. Michael Nyman Band. Duration 1 hr 31 min. Category Music for Film / TV. Composer.Missing: 2003 details
[27]
Saltwater - UK Films Database
Award-winning playwright Conor McPherson steps behind the camera for the first time with Saltwater, a tale of ordinary folk in extraordinary circumstances.
[28]
Irish playwright Conor McPherson finds subtle greatness in 'The ...
He directed "Saltwater" (2000) and "The Actors" (2003), both little-seen and poorly reviewed. McPherson has said "The Eclipse" -- which more thoroughly bears ...
[29]
Playwright Conor McPherson wins praise at Tribeca – San Diego ...
... McPherson considers it his first proper film – and it's easy to see why. Earlier in his career, McPherson directed “Saltwater” (2000) and “The Actors” (2003).
[30]
The 75th Academy Awards | 2003 - Oscars.org
1 NOMINATION. Documentary (Feature) - Malcolm Clarke, Stuart Sender. Q. The Quiet American. 1 NOMINATION. Actor in a Leading Role - Michael Caine. R. Road to ...