an impeccable film that will leave its mark in any sensible viewer

Rating: Null/10 (10 November 2004)

'In The Name of the Father' is an impeccable film that will leave its mark in any sensible viewer.
The film recreates a true historical event that was a sad example of extreme injustice and political double standards.
The movie shows, with tons of eloquence, how the powers of government institutions are often used to manipulate the truth. Themes like physical and psychological cruelty, distortion of reality, mind and spiritual growth, human redemption, and family love at its highest level, are treated with brilliance by Jim Sheridan whose wonderful direction allows the viewer to emotionally relate to every aspect of the story.
The performances of Pete Postlehwaite and Daniel Day Lewis, as father and son and victims of a terrible misstep of the administration of justice, are astonishing. The scenes between these two actors are incredibly powerful and truly heartbreaking. Emma Thompson also gives a great performance as Gareth Peirce, the lawyer who represented the long awaited arrival of the truth after years of harm and legal blindness.
'In The Name of the Father' is a great piece of film-making.