The most important Irish movie ever

Rating: 10/10 (27 June 2006)

Having read some of the most negative comments here on IMDb about this movie, it is disheartening (to say the least) that individuals of a certain disposition should allow their own political agendas to impinge upon their appreciation of great cinema and great storytelling. There's clearly been a large degree of strategic down-voting here - so for anyone who normally searches IMDb and looks no further than the score, please don't be mislead.
Let's get a few of the common misconceptions out of the way. This isn't about spreading anti-British sentiment. It isn't about glorifying war or violence or murder. It isn't about stirring up old hatreds. It isn't even about flag-waving nationalism.
What we do have here is simply a story of one of the most difficult times in Irish history, the bloodshed and bitter civil war that led to the creation of our modern nation, and how that backdrop relates to the ordinary working people, families, and particularly two brothers. The war as it is represented here, and the morality that drives it, is never heroic or beautiful. It is brutal. Painful. Horrible. It's not an easy ride, it is hard going and at times even tearful. As Ireland was driven to civil war and brother literally fought against brother in the name of freedom from shackles of British oppression, it is yet a remarkable achievement that this story has retained so many shades of grey in its morality, without resorting to sledgehammer symbolism or mawkish sentimentality.
True, it may be reasonable to say that this is a movie primarily made for an Irish audience. However it can definitely be enjoyed by anyone who simply loves great cinematic storytelling. Don't be one of those people who writes off a great story like this, an important movie like this, simply because you heard somewhere that it is anti-British. Don't be one of those people who ignores a great movie because of politics. With some highly notable performances from Orla Fitzgerald, Liam Cunningham, and of course Cillian Murphy, this is too good a movie to pass up based on the opinions of others. If you love great movies, you owe it to yourself to see this regardless of what corner of the earth you call home. Watch it, and make it up your own mind. This is a movie that needed to be made, and having found it devastating, poignant, and difficult to watch at times, I can sincerely report that it needs to be seen.
The only final comment I would add is that the accents haven't been diluted one bit for an international audience. Naturally the Irish audience really appreciates this because I think we've all had enough watered-down fake Oirish accents on the silver screen, but at the same time I can well imagine that others will struggle with them.