8 Weeks in March

Jim Sharkey's 8 Weeks in March serves up a portrait of AIRE (American Irish Repertory Ensemble), a small theatrical troupe mounting productions of Irish plays in Portland, ME. Sharkey concentrates on AIRE's preparations for a staging of Sean O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock, although due to legal restrictions the film does not include clips from any actual performances, only a few stills along with complimentary comments from the audience. Instead, Sharkey relies largely on interviews with cast and crew members, especially Tony and Susan Reilly, New Yorkers who talk about founding the company and the myriad challenges of keeping it going. What emerges is an affectionate tribute to the sort of seat-of-the-pants enthusiasm that characterizes local theater groups, rather than an analysis of O'Casey's play or the quality of this particular staging. Moreover, Sharkey's attempt to achieve greater resonance by suggesting that homespun enterprises like AIRE are important means of maintaining a link to the Irish past for those who have left their homeland never delves very deep—the documentary is more simple observation (bolstered by some wonderfully evocative home-movie footage shot in Ireland by members of Sharkey's family during the 1950s) than compelling argument. Ultimately, this is a pleasant visit with a bunch of likable amateurs devoting their energy to something they love. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)