Agnes Browne 1999

In the tumultuous year of 1967, Dubliner Agnes Browne’s world is shattered by the sudden loss of her husband, plunging her family into a maelstrom of emotional distress and financial uncertainty. The weight of this double whammy forces Agnes to confront the harsh realities of poverty head-on, as she struggles to make ends meet with seven young mouths to feed. Desperate for a lifeline, she turns to the unscrupulous Mr. Billy, a ruthless loan shark who preys on the vulnerable.

As Agnes navigates her newfound reality, she finds solace in the simple pleasures of life - the vibrant atmosphere of Dublin’s Moore Street market, where she sells fruits and vegetables alongside her trusted friend Marion. It is here that Agnes finds a temporary reprieve from her troubles, indulging in fantasies of attending a Tom Jones concert, a fleeting escape from the drudgery of her daily routine. And so, it is with great excitement that she accepts Marion’s surprise gift - two tickets to see the legendary performer live.

Meanwhile, as Agnes basks in the glow of her ticketed triumph, her dear friend Marion is dealt a devastating blow: a malignant lump is discovered on her breast, casting a dark shadow over their lives. As the stakes grow higher, Agnes’ family must confront the crushing weight of Mr. Billy’s demands, with Christmas looming as the deadline for repayment or risk losing everything.

In a stunning turn of events, Agnes receives a letter revealing that she can collect a long-overdue inheritance from her husband’s former workplace - just in time to save her home and her children from the clutches of the merciless Mr. Billy. With newfound resolve, Agnes holds off her tormentor and sends her brood on a magical journey to meet Tom Jones himself, whose generosity knows no bounds. And so, on Christmas Day, the singer extraordinaire appears at Agnes’ doorstep, bestowing upon her family a gift of music, hope, and redemption, dedicating his iconic hit “She’s a Lady” to the indomitable spirit of Agnes Browne.