Dancing at Lughnasa

(Columbia Tristar)

Pat O'Connor's adaptation of Brian Friel's acclaimed play has Michael Gambon as the dotty priest who returns from Africa to his tiny Donegal village to be greeted by doting sisters Meryl Streep, Bríd Brennan, Kathy Burke, Sophie Thompson, and Catherine McCormack. The title refers to the ancient Irish harvest festival -- should the girls join in and kick up their heels in the face of their snooty neighbors? Alas, neither the gods nor the God-fearing get a fair shake in this turgid rehash of Olde Soddisms.