Being touted as the film to watch, Belfast takes you into the late 1960’s Northern Ireland during a challenging time. With the country in turmoil and divided by conflict between Catholic and Protestant groups, those in the midst of the troubles in Belfast are trying to live everyday lives while the ordinary is crumbling around them.
After a violent beginning and a lot of hell fire, the film slows down a bit and introduces a family on a street in Belfast controlled by Protestants. Here, Buddy (Jude Hill) a nine-year-old, Will (Lewis McAskie) his older brother, Ma (Caitriona Balfe) the strong willed mom, Pa (Jamie Dornan) a loyal and loving father, Pop (Ciaran Hinds) the boy’s grandpa and Granny (Judi Dench) form a typical Irish family. Concerned about their neighborhood, Ma and Pa trying to avoid as much conflict as possible.
Using Buddy to tell the story, Director and writer Kenneth Branagh shows the challenges that the family has and how they cope with all the changes that are happening in the family. His dad has been doing his best to keep the family in money, but his job doesn’t give him much personal time with his children. Ma does her best to keep the household together in the small row house and Granny does the cooking. So Buddy looks to his grandfather he calls Pop for advice.
The movie spools out at a nice pace with some twists and situations that are based on true happenings. It gets very interesting and compelling at times with the actors making it all work. Jude Hill gives a convincing performance as the young boy who falls for his classmate, gets into a bit of trouble and worries where his family will go to escape all the violence.
Belfast has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some violence and strong language. The film opens with a quick introduction in color showing modern day Northern Ireland and then turns to Black and White to give a feel of being in the past during hostile times. Belfast is playing at local theaters with a limited schedule. (4 out of 5 stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Connor MacNeill, Colin Morgan, Judi Dench, Jude Hill, Lewis McAskie, Caitriona Balfe and Jamie
Directed and written by: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: True Story, Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violence and strong language
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
Opening Date: November 12, 2021
Distributed by: Focus Features
Released in: Theaters
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
