Like other factual or fictional stories of bands on the rise, Alan Parker's film gets a tremendous boost from the dynamic performance of its songs by the motley crew of actors and musicians who make up Dublin's The Commitments - Saviours of Soul.

You could quite happily watch this well-drilled, adrenalin-throbbing lot all night, and maybe the film would be even more enjoyable if you did.

Parker's script piles contrivance on contrivance to make the story go the way he wants, and you can still hardly believe the band breaking up at the end when in reality they'd be high on success.

And would even the conceited lead singer pick a fight with the 'animal' drummer known for breaking noses and crushing bones? Not with his eye on fame he wouldn't.

The whole constant four-letter wrangling among the band, in fact, gets a bit wearing, although the script contains a good quota of smile-inducing lines. 'The piano's me granny's,' explains the latest recruit. 'She doesn't know I took it. But she doesn't use the front room very often.'

Such occasional gems, the authentic Dublin backstreets feel and the music - this band would be a hit anywhere - make this gig worth a visit.