In an attempt to sum up what a movie is about many critics have focused on the linear story that takes place in Kenneth Branagh’s new film BELFAST. The problem is that while there is a story that has a beginning, middle and end, it is more than that. There is something more important here than that linear tale. It is about family and life. The film is one of the many nominated for Best Picture for this year’s Oscars. I don’t know if it should win not having seen all the others but it does deserve to be there.
The movie is a semi-autobiographical film about Branagh’s life growing up in Belfast in the late sixties just as what is known as the Troubles began there. Different factions of the country were fighting in the streets over staying a part of England or separating to be a part of Ireland. Most summed it up as a battle between Protestants and Catholics but the core problem was Ireland.
The film opens in the neighborhood Branagh grew up in. Nine year old Buddy (Jude Hill) loves his home and all that surrounds him. This is the old style of neighborhood where people knew their neighbors, watched out for one another and where kids played in the streets without fear of anyone nearby. Buddy is being called in to tea by his mother here called Ma (Catriona Balfe). As he nears home he’s confronted with a mob tossing Molotov cocktails and brandishing clubs. They are calling for the Catholics to leave the neighborhood and threatening everyone.
The thing is not everyone in the neighborhood agrees. For them these are simply their neighbors. The next day barricades are set up at the end of the street to prevent these ruffians from getting easy access to their street. British soldiers help reinforce the barricade and armored vehicles patrol the streets.
Buddy’s father Pa (Jamie Dornan) is not there at the moment but on his way back to visit. Jobs are scarce and he’s found work in England, coming home on weekends to be with his family. Living in the house is Buddy’s older brother Will (Lewis McAskie), just a few years older. His cousin Moira (Lara McDonnell) lives nearby as do his grandparents Pop (Ciarin Hinds) and Granny (Judi Dench). More family members live in the area as well and this is where not just the sense of community but family runs throughout the film.
While home Pa is confronted by local ruffian and criminal Billy Clanton (Colin Morgan). He demands that Pa join the cause which Pa has no interest in becoming a part of. Buddy witnesses this confrontation from the shadows. And while Buddy doesn’t know it, his family is in financial straits as well with back taxes leaving them in debt.
There is more to the story including a love interest for young Buddy and his love of movies that he uses as an escape. There is also his father trying to convince the family that the safest thing for them to do is leave Belfast. The problem is this is their home and has been for generations and they are reluctant to do so in spite of the danger that is taking place all around them.
So what makes the movie good? Nearly everything. There is an ease and rhythm with the dialogue and movements of the film from one scene to the next. It feels less like a movie and more like a slice of life for those who live in it. This is due to a combination of things from the script to the directing to the performances of each and every person on screen. This includes young Hill in his first film. You’d never guess it.
While there are bits and pieces in color the majority of the film is in black and white. Why? Perhaps because the drab setting in the film are seen that way through the eyes of young Buddy, the center of the film. Or maybe because color would add little to the story here. Suffice to say it works.
Since we here in the U.S. were not a part of conflict we
have little clue as to what happened or how it affected people there. This film
doesn’t dig into the politics of the conflict but shows us how bad it was in
how it took its toll on the people there. This make for a much more compelling
film. And one that you might want to take a look. This one is worth watching.
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