In the name of the father, in the name of the son

Rating: 9/10 (24 October 2005)

"In the name of the father" directed by Jim Sheridan, not only takes you through a poignant journey of awareness in its political and social context, but also tells a story of an alienated father and son that only reach an understanding through their shared circumstance in a prison cell.
After mass speculation, angry protests and the passing of the terrorism act on the wake of the Guildford bombing(October 5, 1974), Gerry Conlon(Daniel Day-Louis) and his friends Paul Hill(John Lynch), Paddy Armstrong(Mark Sheppard) and Carole Richardson(Beatie Edney), become the lead suspects following an inquiry by the British police into their whereabouts.
None of the Guildford four fitted "the bill" in terms of being associated with the IRA because of their lifestyle. They were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gerry Conlon was a petty thief from Derry, Northern Ireland and Patrick Armstrong and Carole Richardson lived in a squat and also had involvement with drugs and petty crime. There were many inconsistencies in the case against them, However with the enormous pressure on the police and the state by the public, they were tortured and threatened into signing confessions and later sentenced to life imprisonment on murder charges, along with Gerry's father Guiseppe Conlon(Pete Postelwaithe).
Although it is emotional enough to be privy to the truth towards the innocence of these eight Northern Irish people, who are victims to perhaps one of the most profound miscarriages of Justice in the history of England or the world, we see the eventual bonding of a father and son who were once coldly distanced. After years in a Jail cell they reach a sought of understanding that allows them to communicate on a more intimate level.
One of the most strong manifestations of this, is when Gerry is shown to be looking after Guiseppe instead of the reverse, before his death. When Guiseppe dies, the scene showing the fire tears dropping down from the prison windows is one of the most harrowing of the film. This Juxtaposed against the tears that are running down Gerry's face and the reflection of it in his eyes, is testament to the directing genius of Jim Sheridan to create a symbolic portrayal of his grief. In the name of the father visually enhances what the true story presents, through its imagery and dramatization.
Another scene that is worth noting, is also in the opening. It is an adrenalin rush as we are confronted with the singular image of the pub exploding, which is then accompanied by the exhilarating dischorded sound of U2's Bono and Gavin Friday conveniently titled, "In the name of the father". The soundtrack though-out the movie is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine, as all scenes are imbued with nothing but the most appropriate music to accompany the deftly created ambiance. Whether it is the chilling, eerie sounds that scream horror in the confessions room, or the 70's Hippie rock n' roll in the opening scene at Derry in Northern Ireland at the start of the riot, the music is an excellent form of augmentation to the mood.
Daniel Day-Louise and Pete Postelwaithe do an excellent job of carrying out their roles as divided father and son on bad terms. In all Gerry's delinquent, childish swagger, Daniel Day-Louise is able to reach beyond this to show his honest, emotional side rendering him a more sympathetic character. Similarly, Postelwaithe does an excellent job of conveying a paragon of what is honest and decent as well as a father who is extremely critical but caring of his son at the same time.
"In the name of the father" reaches beyond the politically electric content of the true story, to the human issues behind it. We see the experiences of Gerry and Guiseppe Conlon in the face of extreme adversity and injustice. It is another influential tribute to the human spirit and another piece of evidence that truth tends to be the first casualty in such situations like the one the Guildford four found themselves in. But farther than even this, we share the moving experience of seeing a father and son come together amidst the torrent that was enveloping them, finding peace, courage and motivation in each other.