The Tiger's Tail 2008

Director John Boorman, known for films like Deliverance and The General, presents The Tiger’s Tail, a captivating tale centered on Liam O’Leary, played by Brendan Gleeson. Liam is an Irish property developer whose origins are humble, yet he has amassed wealth and power during the unprecedented economic surge in Ireland, often referred to as the “Celtic Tiger.” However, his pride leads him into an ambitious project to construct a national stadium, only to face sabotage from a rival developer.

As the market begins to decline, Liam’s overextension leaves him on the brink of collapse. The mounting stress drives him towards madness, culminating in a shocking encounter with his Double. This eerie doppelgänger raises troubling questions—who is this man? Is he merely a figment of Liam’s imagination, or does he symbolize an impending doom?

Amidst his turmoil, Liam’s neglected wife, Jane (played by Kim Cattrall), and his overlooked son, Connor (portrayed by Briain Gleeson), come to see his claims as mere hallucinations, adding to the family’s distress. Only his sister Oona (Sinead Cusack) and childhood friend Andy (Ciaran Hinds), who is also a priest, offer their belief in his troubling vision.

As Liam confronts his Double, he unravels a shocking secret about his past, prompting deep introspection that echoes the existential query: > “who am I?” This journey through identity, family, and the pressures of success underscores the fragile nature of his reality against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world.