Michael and Siobhán are platonically friendly to each other, Rory becomes jealous – culminating in a joyride with local kids in a stolen car, crashing it, subsequently getting briefly detained by the police. Siobhán invites Rory and Michael along to a costume party; but after Siobhán rejects Michaels advances she decides to bring in Peter, a qualified Personal Assistant to replace herself. Michael is distraught over Siobhán's departure from their lives, and considering suicide; Rory finds him on the edge of the James Joyce Bridge. Michael jokingly complains the edge is too high for him to throw himself off, and Rory talks him out of it, reminding him he has a future and to enjoy it. Later, Michael finds Rory in his bed struggling to breathe, and calls for an ambulance. His disease having progressed, Rory is given only a few days to live. Michael visits Siobhán and with her help goes to the review board on behalf of Rory to argue his case, another chance having come up after six months. The board initially refuse, restating the same arguments, however Michael responds that "the right must exist independently of its exercising" and as a gesture the board approve Rory's independent living allowance in principle – but before they can get to the hospital to tell Rory the news, he has already died. Michael and Siobhan attend Rory's funeral. Michael hears in his mind Rory's words "Well, then, are we going out?" and after saying goodbye to Siobhan, Michael heads out on his own. Cast James McAvoy as Rory Gerard O'Shea, a rebellious young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy Steven Robertson as Michael Connolly, a 24-year-old long-term resident with cerebral palsy Romola Garai as Siobhán, a young woman they employ as a caregiver Brenda Fricker as Eileen, a domineering care worker at Michael's care home Gerard McSorley as Fergus Connolly, Michael's father who abandoned him at birth Tom Hickey as Con O'Shea, Rory's father Alan King as Tommy Ruth McCabe as Annie Anna Healy as Alice Deirdre O'Kane (cameo) as a caregiver applicant Production Writer Christian O'Reilly came up with the story after working with Martin Naughton, and Dermot Walsh, on a campaign for the Centre for Independent Living in Dublin. Music The film features Johnny Cash's cover version of "Hurt". Siobhan asks Rory "Were you born like this ... dodgy hair and shit taste in music?" and plays the