The Wind that Shakes the Barley
(C or 2/4 stars)
'The Wind That Shakes the Barley', a war drama directed by Ken Loach, takes a look into the Irish Republican struggle against a Britain who refuses to grant them independence. Two brothers find themselves on opposing sides, not so much during the fight for freedom, but afterwards in a tumultuous Civil War. Socialist, Damien (Cillian Murphy) would be pitted against the ruling class' Teddy (Padraic Delaney). The Irish landscapes makes for many beautiful sweeping shots (though most shots are cluttered by violent warfare). But I found the dialogue, plot & conclusion to be fairly remote.
1920: Teddy (& countless other farmhands, factory workers, & the like) is ready for guerilla warfare. But it's his more scholarly brother, Damien, who'd actually rather go to London (the enemy) to make a difference in a hospital. Right before his departure, an innocent friend of theirs is murdered right before his eyes by the 'Black & Tans', and Damien 'then' decides to join Teddy's resistance group. His honorable duty & love for Ireland makes him join his brother in a dangerous battle against their oppressors. They fight side by side for over an hour's length of the film, 'til a peace treaty is finally signed.
However, their peace is short-lived when one group (oddly enough, now containing Teddy) accepts the treaty (with the Brits), while another group abstains (Damien's rebel resistance group). Damien feels that he hasn't fought and ruthlessly killed, just to have the 'colour of the flag changed'. He wants no further correspondence with Britain, at all. This huge disagreement leads to the bloody civil war that will test loyalties and pit Irish against Irish, family friends against family friends ... brother against brother. Teddy's forces are supposed to expunge any dissidents that they find. Will Teddy's brother & former comrades be safe?
It's only well-after viewing this movie that I can form a cogent opinion of the atrocities I viewed for over 2 trying hours. I appreciate the juxtaposition of feelings that these Irishmen & women must have faced some 90 years ago (and bad feelings are still harbored). The acting is quite stellar here. Loach, the director, is able to maximize Murphy, Delaney, & other supporting actors' body languages, fears, loathings, & remorse. The violence in the film is so visceral, shot so closely, that I often felt I was right there with the freedom fighters. But the violence is a bit overwhelming (the air is heavy with doom & gloom), a bit too bewildering for my tastes. It's not quite exploitation violence, but I did have to look away several times during ear-piercing rapes, executions, & senseless slaughters. I don’t like that.
You know, while the last 50 minutes are gripping, I really disliked the first 'brutal' 75 minutes or so. Damien & Teddy change sides too quickly. Britain doesn't get ANY say in this story. It just left a horrid taste in my mouth. And something about the vocal speed, volume, & heaviness of the Irish accents made some dialogue virtually insignificant & unintelligible for me. I might as well have had it on mute, and been better for it. Also, there are many scenes where characters are bustling around superfluously, clogging up space, lending little-to-nothing to particular scene(s).
It's funny, there is a lot to praise: good acting, historical topic, cinematography, costumes, etc. But most of the film is spare, sad & tasteless. It's an important film ... but this is why people go to see Blades of Glory: to laugh, to be entertained. Is 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley' well acted? Most certainly, yes. Did I get something out of it? Sort of. Will I recommend it to others? Cautiously. Will I ever see it again? Never.
1920: Teddy (& countless other farmhands, factory workers, & the like) is ready for guerilla warfare. But it's his more scholarly brother, Damien, who'd actually rather go to London (the enemy) to make a difference in a hospital. Right before his departure, an innocent friend of theirs is murdered right before his eyes by the 'Black & Tans', and Damien 'then' decides to join Teddy's resistance group. His honorable duty & love for Ireland makes him join his brother in a dangerous battle against their oppressors. They fight side by side for over an hour's length of the film, 'til a peace treaty is finally signed.
However, their peace is short-lived when one group (oddly enough, now containing Teddy) accepts the treaty (with the Brits), while another group abstains (Damien's rebel resistance group). Damien feels that he hasn't fought and ruthlessly killed, just to have the 'colour of the flag changed'. He wants no further correspondence with Britain, at all. This huge disagreement leads to the bloody civil war that will test loyalties and pit Irish against Irish, family friends against family friends ... brother against brother. Teddy's forces are supposed to expunge any dissidents that they find. Will Teddy's brother & former comrades be safe?
It's only well-after viewing this movie that I can form a cogent opinion of the atrocities I viewed for over 2 trying hours. I appreciate the juxtaposition of feelings that these Irishmen & women must have faced some 90 years ago (and bad feelings are still harbored). The acting is quite stellar here. Loach, the director, is able to maximize Murphy, Delaney, & other supporting actors' body languages, fears, loathings, & remorse. The violence in the film is so visceral, shot so closely, that I often felt I was right there with the freedom fighters. But the violence is a bit overwhelming (the air is heavy with doom & gloom), a bit too bewildering for my tastes. It's not quite exploitation violence, but I did have to look away several times during ear-piercing rapes, executions, & senseless slaughters. I don’t like that.
You know, while the last 50 minutes are gripping, I really disliked the first 'brutal' 75 minutes or so. Damien & Teddy change sides too quickly. Britain doesn't get ANY say in this story. It just left a horrid taste in my mouth. And something about the vocal speed, volume, & heaviness of the Irish accents made some dialogue virtually insignificant & unintelligible for me. I might as well have had it on mute, and been better for it. Also, there are many scenes where characters are bustling around superfluously, clogging up space, lending little-to-nothing to particular scene(s).
It's funny, there is a lot to praise: good acting, historical topic, cinematography, costumes, etc. But most of the film is spare, sad & tasteless. It's an important film ... but this is why people go to see Blades of Glory: to laugh, to be entertained. Is 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley' well acted? Most certainly, yes. Did I get something out of it? Sort of. Will I recommend it to others? Cautiously. Will I ever see it again? Never.