And With a Whole Lotta Irish Soul

The Scene: The premiere Wednesday at the Cinerama Dome of “The Commitments,” Alan Parker’s film about a working-class Irish soul band. 20th Century Fox hosted a party afterward at the Palace, where the 12-member band performed with Wilson Pickett.

Who Was There: As one paparazzo put it, “From Kevin Costner to Milli Vanilli--now that’s some range .” Along with Robin Hood and the merry lip-syncers were Timothy Dalton, Michael Keaton, Billy Idol, Anne Archer, Rosanna Arquette, Belinda Carlisle, Terence Trent D’Arby and Lyle Lovett. One guest wondered if “there’s a law that Milli Vanilli have to travel together.”

The Buzz: Great film, but it could use subtitles. What language exactly is it the Irish speak? “I wouldn’t call it English,” said co-star Robert Arkins. Added Michael Aherne: “It’s not stage Irish. It’s not leprechauns and the Clancy Brothers. This is the way they talk.”

Noted: Glossaries translating Dublin slang were included with the press kits.

Upside: Colorful Gaelic vulgarities added to local vocabulary.

Downside: Some budding linguists might have been too drunk to remember them in the morning.

High Point: After Pickett and “The Commitments” finished “Midnight Hour,” the crowd had truly been elevated. There was a joyous exuberance in the air that had nothing to do with the generous amounts of Guinness consumed.

Reality Check: The band is very good. Wilson Pickett is a god.

Quoted: Pickett said the band’s lead singer, 17-year-old Andrew Strong had “a corn-bread voice. There’s gravel in it. The harder he sings the better his voice gets.”

Roots of Irish Soul: Aherne said there are 40 bands in Dublin playing Blues Brothers-style music. One theater shows “The Blues Brothers” every Saturday night. “They go more regular than they go to Mass,” said the band’s piano player.

Dress mode: Lots of men in proletarian black suits with T-shirts. Lots of women “who transcend K mart in terms of bad taste” said one woman who presumably did not transcend K mart.

Hollywood Moment: The film’s executive producer had a minion with a video camera recording his every move. “It’s for his mother,” the assistant explained.

Overheard: “If nothing else, MTV has now got a movie for St. Patrick’s Day.”