An inspiring account of a man's struggle against injustice.

Rating: 10/10 (13 May 2001)

`In the Name of the Father' is one of the three co-ventures of Jim Sheridan and Daniel Day-Lewis. In terms of story, spirit and performance, I will put it in league with `My Left Foot', their first venture as a director-actor team. I rate this film 10 out of 10, for reasons I go on to explain:
`In the Name of the Father' is an account of the true saga of an Irish man, Gerry Conlon, who is wrongfully imprisoned for life. He and his family are made scapegoats by the police and legal system for the bombing of the Guildford Pub of London in 1974. The film goes on to show the bitter trial of Conlon, his father and 3 of his companions accused in the case, and Conlon's spirit as he faces the brutality of unfair imprisonment, and his inimitable spirit as he attempts to reopen the case after 15 years with the aid of a lawyer, Gareth Pierce.
One thing I absolutely love about the film is the performances of Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite. By virtue of being inspired from a true story, the film has a very strong theme and story line. The evolution of the relationship between Gerry and his Dad, Giuseppe has been shown beautifully. The evolution of Gerry from a quick tempered, riotous fellow to a person who has mellowed down and whom time in prison has transformed into a patient man, has also been depicted rather well. The fact that the guy wrongfully accused of a terrorist bombing is not a Godly and perfect sort of guy, but instead a riotous guy given to petty thieving, prevents the film from becoming didactic and overly dramatic. But I guess this is because the director and writer have been true to the real life story of Gerry Conlon.
I have no hesitation in stating that `In the Name of the Father' is one of the best films I have seen.