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The Wind that Shakes the Barley
Ireland’s fight for independence is a subject I haven’t seen often on film. I ha sunshine fit would go along the lines of most films with a similar premise. It would be too easy to categorize it as a war story about a countries struggle for independence. But it’s so much more then that.
It’s also story about two brothers and their conflicting ideology.
Cillian Murphy, as Damien is the emotional and moral center of this film. Recruited by his older brother, Teddy, into the IRA, they work tirelessly to gain their independence from the British. *
Murphy is amazing to watch as his portrayal undergoes a subtle transformation, as does Damien, as the war waged on and his group splinters. To his surprise, Teddy takes the side of the free state. It is a decision that will alter their fates inexorably.
There are some great scenes, such as the group emerging through the fog, and one involving the group being caught unaware in an old ruin. And some obligatory battle scenes. But those scenes are brief, violent, and no exploitive. They serve to move the scene forward, as they then deal with its after math with actual intelligence.
There are times the film seems preachy and self righteous, and the British are often portrayed as simple brutish thugs. But there are some interesting scenes that show the Irish resort to the same tactics after they have splintered and turned on each other. So I guess that balances out some.
In the end, I felt like I had been hit in the gut. Such was Loach’s ability, much like he had in I, Daniel Blake, to express sadness and tragedy. It is a conclusion that both angers, and eviscerates me emotionally. I watch the credits roll, and I can’t help but think to myself “What a waste.”
This is another fine pick, in a HOF full of them. And I find myself awed by this. It is moments like this which reminds me why I join to begin with.
Ireland’s fight for independence is a subject I haven’t seen often on film. I ha sunshine fit would go along the lines of most films with a similar premise. It would be too easy to categorize it as a war story about a countries struggle for independence. But it’s so much more then that.
It’s also story about two brothers and their conflicting ideology.
Cillian Murphy, as Damien is the emotional and moral center of this film. Recruited by his older brother, Teddy, into the IRA, they work tirelessly to gain their independence from the British. *
Murphy is amazing to watch as his portrayal undergoes a subtle transformation, as does Damien, as the war waged on and his group splinters. To his surprise, Teddy takes the side of the free state. It is a decision that will alter their fates inexorably.
There are some great scenes, such as the group emerging through the fog, and one involving the group being caught unaware in an old ruin. And some obligatory battle scenes. But those scenes are brief, violent, and no exploitive. They serve to move the scene forward, as they then deal with its after math with actual intelligence.
There are times the film seems preachy and self righteous, and the British are often portrayed as simple brutish thugs. But there are some interesting scenes that show the Irish resort to the same tactics after they have splintered and turned on each other. So I guess that balances out some.
In the end, I felt like I had been hit in the gut. Such was Loach’s ability, much like he had in I, Daniel Blake, to express sadness and tragedy. It is a conclusion that both angers, and eviscerates me emotionally. I watch the credits roll, and I can’t help but think to myself “What a waste.”
This is another fine pick, in a HOF full of them. And I find myself awed by this. It is moments like this which reminds me why I join to begin with.
Last edited by Wyldesyde19; 03-15-21 at 03:16 AM.
