Freedom isn't cheap

Rating: 10/10 (2 September 2010)

WARNING SPOILERS!
The courage and resilience of the Irish during the War for Independence against Great Britain is depicted better here than in any other film I've seen about the IRA.
Constantly subjected to acts of terrorism and humiliation from the Tans, a group of men from Cork have had all they can stand and join the campaign to get British tyranny out of Ireland for good. Among this group of guerilla soldiers is Teddy O'Donnovan (Padraic Delaney is an actor to watch for!) and his younger brother Damien (Cillian Murphy), who is planning to finish his medical training in London. Reluctant to get involved at first, Damien sees one of his best friends brutally murdered for no reason at all by the Tans. The constant cruelty by people who abuse their power changes his position.
The film is about the unpleasant demands and duties facing these soldiers, and about the very high price of freedom. There comes a time when it seems freedom is accomplished, but there are conditions that must be met and a treaty that must be signed. It's hard to know who to side with. Teddy and those who think like him want the bloodshed to end, and he's convinced that a completely independent Ireland is just not possible when the British Empire has so much power. Damien, his friend Dan (Liam Cunningham), and others feel that this treaty is a slap in the face to those who have given their lives and suffered. Damien and Dan see that if they don't continue the battle to rid Ireland of all British dominion, the same suffering will go on and on, and their comrades will have died for nothing. Civil war breaks out among the Irish, pitting friends (and brothers) against each other, and the results are excruciatingly tragic.
The film draws your emotions in as you watch the injustice, the ruthless physical and mental tortures, the difficult and terrible reality that in war, you follow orders. The execution of Damien's friend Chris Reilly (John Crean) is one of many very disturbing scenes, so be warned.
I very much appreciated the role of the women in this film. The characters of Sinead (Orla Fitzgerald), Peggy and Bernadette were well developed and integral to the plot. Director Ken Loach lends sensitivity to this brilliant but brutal story, and his unusual style of direction (described lavishly in an R1 DVD extra) is interesting. I plan to see more of his work!