Variety and the big hitter trades may be sold but few films have divided native critics quite like Zonad, director John Carney’s follow up to Once, in collaboration with his brother, Kieran. Pitched somewhere between Pleasantville and Father Ted, the co-creators of Batchelor’s Walk have produced a sui generis comedy that is both ridiculously funny and sublimely ridiculous.
In a small Irish town, where (for some reason) most of the residents enjoy characteristics and trappings associated with fifties B-movies, the Cassidy family become the envy of their friends when they find the real life spaceman of the title. Simon Delaney, the brothers’ returning muse, takes the honours as Zonad, an extra terrestrial with a weakness for human “black beer” and earth females.
Adored by the locals, Zonad has it made until, one day, rival spaceman Bonad shows up with designs on our hero’s popularity. Somehow, the cast, like their creators, keep a straight face until the final credits.
Don’t expect Once.