In Michael Colins, Alan Rickman did a exceptional job in spite of his constant lapsing into a British accent. But to a certain level, it's hard to distinguish between the accent and the acting. In another movie (Devil's Own), Brad Pitt played an IRA member coming to the U.S. to Harrison Ford's home. His supposed-Irish accent really made me squirm, and it did take away from the acting. There are genuine Irish people here on this board; they probably can help us on this subject.

I didn't know Jonathan Rhys-Myers was Irish - thanks for the info.

I assume you are asking which character Jack Fairy is instead of what he represents, right? Okay, remember the spaceship sent baby Oscar Wilde (in a bundle pinned with a precious stone) to earth? The stone was found by Jack Fairy 100 years later when he was beaten up by a bunch of mean kids and was pushed face down near a ditch simply because he was different from the rest of them. As it did with Oscar Wilde, the stone seemed to have something to do with Jack's inspiration and willpower to become who he became. According to the story, he was the originator of glam rock. Everybody followed Jack Fairy - the androgynous look, glittering costumes, heavy facial makeup, the flamboyant stage presence, and bi-sexual life style. While Brian Slade was struggling to become famous, he once imposed himself into Jack Fairy's dressing room to seduce Jack. He took the Oscar Wilde jewel from Jack in the process. (And then Brian got what he wanted - he became the most popular star of that era, except he didn't get Curt Wild, his real love. Brian gave Curt the stone later, and Curt gave it again to Arthur.) Towards the end of the movie, Jack Fairy and a group of performers gave a huge farewell concert in honor of the end of the era of glam rock - he was also the person who sort of ended the era. Jack Fairy is the one character who gave Brian the spiritual push and material substance (the stone) to make Brian into who Brian was.

It's funny that I talk so much about Velvet Goldmine. Actually, the music I listen to is mostly classical (and some Jazz) and I didn't even like Jonathan's character because he was such a selfish bastard. I watched the movie because of Ewan McGregor, but somehow, the music just haunted me, while Brian Slade grew on me. I then started to watch again and again. Yep! That's why I told you to ask me questions about it because the obsessive-compulsive me does things this way. :) :) ;)

Kathy

I like it because: First of all, Ewan McGregor stars. The scene he sang while giving the finger to the audience was incredible, wasn't it? He was only supposed to moon the audience, but he got so carried away that he pulled down his pants and went full monty, and the production decided to use that footage. Secondly, Curt and Brian made such a lovely couple. Curt was surprisingly the really decent guy in truth. Last but not least, the phenomenon of glam rock was just so impressive to me.

Pillow Book is another eerily beautiful movie of Ewan's.