Belfast (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Loosely based on director Kenneth Branagh's childhood in Northern Ireland in 1969, 'Belfast' is a lovely & somewhat bittersweet movie about a family trying to keep its head afloat during the religious violence of that era. Buddy (10 yr. old Jude Hill, adorable) lives an ostensibly idyllic life in his tight-knit neighborhood in Belfast surrounded by his Ma (Caitriona Balfe, of Outlander fame), his Pa (Jamie Dornan) & his older brother (Lewis McAskie). Not far down the road are his grandparents, Granny (Judi Dench) & Pop (Ciaran Hinds), where he spends afternoons after school getting sage advice about math ... and young love. Except for the fact that Pa must work over in England to make $$ to support his family, all 'seems' right in Buddy's world.
But tensions brew btwn. the Catholics {the minority, who have confession} & the Protestants {like Buddy's family, who endure fire-&-brimstone preaches at church}, within the neighborhood. Now their loving community, where everyone looks out for each other, is being ripped apart by riots & bombings. Seen through the eyes of Buddy, it is chaotic, scary ... and these roads that were once a playground have now become a war zone. While Ma barely holds down the fort, pacifist Pa thwarts resistance from fellow Protestant vigilantes who want him to join their anti-Catholic brigade; deciding to move the family to England before harm comes their way. But it won't be easy to sever the ties that bind them to Belfast; which includes Granny & Pop.
Young Jude Hill carries this movie like a champ. He is just effortlessly charming and, you don't see that often; as most child performances come across as too precious. The rest of the cast is brilliant, as well. Judi Dench is as perfect as ever. At age 86, she can still wrangle a chuckle out of the smallest gesture or a tear to fall from the quietest moment. I'm reminded of two touching scenes; one with her on a bus, talking to Buddy about movies; and the final shot of the film is a killer. Granny adores her grandson & tempers Pop's more idealistic approach to his grandson's problems with gentle wisdom. Ciaran Hinds is an actor I've always enjoyed over the years and, his Pop is the type of kind, compassionate grandpa we could only dream of having.
Caitriona Balfe is wonderful, demonstrating courage & strength as the only parent present for her sons while Pa is over in England. She's warm, funny, but also flawed & terrified; as evidenced in several poignant scenes that she shares with Dornan. As for Dornan, he is as wonderful as Balfe; sharing palpable chemistry with her. They ably convey the kind of love & devotion that we all wish our parents have. Dornan has been saddled to the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. But with this film and Barb & Star go to Vista Del Mar earlier this year, he has proven that he has the chops to overcome that other franchise. He even gets a chance, like Barb & Star, to sing; his crooning to "Everlasting Love" in the joyous penultimate scene is infectious.
Shot in crisp black-&-white {excepting brilliant bursts of color in the opening 2021 segment, as well as any time Buddy watches a Technicolor film in his youth}, 'Belfast' takes a nostalgic look back at one boy's childhood, the jubilant ups, the soul-crushing downs, the terror of a community torn apart by, & how tranportive the power of movies can be when times are tough. It's clear to see how the events of this boy's life shaped what would become the man who left home and became an esteemed actor & impassioned filmmaker. Despite elements of tragedy that permeate the story, this film is about resilience in dire times, laughter & hope; exhibiting universal sentiments of love & family that occur in all the Belfasts of the world.
But tensions brew btwn. the Catholics {the minority, who have confession} & the Protestants {like Buddy's family, who endure fire-&-brimstone preaches at church}, within the neighborhood. Now their loving community, where everyone looks out for each other, is being ripped apart by riots & bombings. Seen through the eyes of Buddy, it is chaotic, scary ... and these roads that were once a playground have now become a war zone. While Ma barely holds down the fort, pacifist Pa thwarts resistance from fellow Protestant vigilantes who want him to join their anti-Catholic brigade; deciding to move the family to England before harm comes their way. But it won't be easy to sever the ties that bind them to Belfast; which includes Granny & Pop.
Young Jude Hill carries this movie like a champ. He is just effortlessly charming and, you don't see that often; as most child performances come across as too precious. The rest of the cast is brilliant, as well. Judi Dench is as perfect as ever. At age 86, she can still wrangle a chuckle out of the smallest gesture or a tear to fall from the quietest moment. I'm reminded of two touching scenes; one with her on a bus, talking to Buddy about movies; and the final shot of the film is a killer. Granny adores her grandson & tempers Pop's more idealistic approach to his grandson's problems with gentle wisdom. Ciaran Hinds is an actor I've always enjoyed over the years and, his Pop is the type of kind, compassionate grandpa we could only dream of having.
Caitriona Balfe is wonderful, demonstrating courage & strength as the only parent present for her sons while Pa is over in England. She's warm, funny, but also flawed & terrified; as evidenced in several poignant scenes that she shares with Dornan. As for Dornan, he is as wonderful as Balfe; sharing palpable chemistry with her. They ably convey the kind of love & devotion that we all wish our parents have. Dornan has been saddled to the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. But with this film and Barb & Star go to Vista Del Mar earlier this year, he has proven that he has the chops to overcome that other franchise. He even gets a chance, like Barb & Star, to sing; his crooning to "Everlasting Love" in the joyous penultimate scene is infectious.
Shot in crisp black-&-white {excepting brilliant bursts of color in the opening 2021 segment, as well as any time Buddy watches a Technicolor film in his youth}, 'Belfast' takes a nostalgic look back at one boy's childhood, the jubilant ups, the soul-crushing downs, the terror of a community torn apart by, & how tranportive the power of movies can be when times are tough. It's clear to see how the events of this boy's life shaped what would become the man who left home and became an esteemed actor & impassioned filmmaker. Despite elements of tragedy that permeate the story, this film is about resilience in dire times, laughter & hope; exhibiting universal sentiments of love & family that occur in all the Belfasts of the world.