So, if I told you, come and watch a film where its two main characters are disabled, one is mentally disabled, and the other is a paraplegic, and both form a sort of love triangle for their caretaker, would you want to watch it? Not many people would, basically because there'd really be no true dramatic delivery with a film revolving around two disabled men, but then--I'm ashamed to admit--I thought the very same thing. "Rory O'Shea was here" is not a film about two disabled men, it's a film about life. It's a film that shows us that with our abilities we have the chance to live life to its fullest, because if two wheelchair bound young men can, why can't we? Rory O'Shea is a punk rocker who is bound to his wheelchair, but he doesn't let it stop him.

He's too damn independent for his own good. He arrives one day at a home and goes all out. He yells, teases the nurses, and insults one patient named Michael (Steven) who latches on to him. Michael is a young man with Cerebral Palsy who mumbles and moans words that no one can understand. But shockingly, Rory understands him just fine, and through that, they become friends. Some people may find it difficult to see any sense of appeal to Rory O'Shea, but I found him to be an instantly appealing character from the beginning. In spite of being a paraplegic, he still knows how to have fun. And you have to ask yourself, how fucked up is it that a man who can only move his head is out living life better than someone who can get around without help. O'Shea is a very likable guy who's understandably sour about his life and he's a man who seeks independence when he knows just as well as everyone that he can't have it.

"Rory O'Shea" is a bittersweet slice of life that treats its two characters in the most sincerest sentiment, as human beings who just get along, and never exploits them to tug at the audiences hearts. Most of all "Rory O'Shea" is and extremely original film, something films don't practice in in this day and age. It's not often I watch a film that has its two main characters as disabled. "Rory O'Shea" is the idea of a film that Hollywood would never have the balls to touch or dare approach, and that's why it's so worth watching. Many times "Rory O'Shea" is a wonderful tragicomedy that examines how these two men teach each other something about life they didn't know existed.

Michael learns from Rory about life. By wanting to have fun, he teaches Michael how life is worth living as well since he's basically been secluded to boarding houses all his life, and Rory learns how to be human. Steven Robertson is excellent as the mentally disabled Michael who only mumbles and groans his words and speaks through Rory. And James McAvoy is great as the conflicted and sour Rory who seeks to enjoy life while he has it and just doesn't know, nor does he want to accept his limits. "Rory O'Shea" not only provides two men with perspective of life, but it hopes to provide its audience with a unique perspective of their own lives and what they may possibly be missing out on.

It's not often you watch a truly original romance starring two disabled men whom aren't depicted in a condescending or comedic tone, and "Rory O'Shea" is a heartbreaking and entertaining slice of life dramedy.

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