Cowboys & Angels

Enlivens the classic premise of innocent-in-the-city by moving its archetypal characters in unexpected directions.

It's a sweet but slight film whose undeniable appeal is largely due to the performances of its flat-out adorable leads.

Pic drifts onto a familiar obstacle course for its wide-eyed hero, but displays a spirited, open-hearted goodness along the way. Combination of warmth, humor, danger and a cosmopolitan take on young, urban Eire sets pic distinctly apart.

The coming-of-age story about the corruptions of the big city has been done a few thousand times, but at least this one offers a fresh mix of open-minded intelligence and a heartfelt point of view.

Tries to break free of formula but finally succumbs to the warm glow of predictability.

For all the violence and breaking-up-to-make-up that go on, there's never really a sense of risk or exploration, and the film's pulse never rises above faint.

One big cliche.