shaken, not stirred

Rating: 8/10 (5 January 2007)

Good old Ken Loach. This dedicated English socialist has made the most interesting film to come out of Ireland in recent years. He has managed to pack in a history lesson, a war movie, a love story and sibling rivalry into two hours. Good performances all round - Cillian Murphy's best to date. If you know nothing about the unraveling of the British Empire and the foundation of the Irish Free State, look no further. Streets ahead of the overblown Michael Collins, Loach's sparse, naturalistic style serves the bigger story well. Focusing on two brothers fighting the good fight against the Brits in Cork in the aftermath of the 1916 rebellion, the film is at its best as the battle hardens young minds. When the Brits eventually pull out, leaving chaos and bad feeling behind them, the tide turns and brother goes against brother. Credit to writer Paul Laverty for turning this pivotal period of Irish history into a gripping tale. High point the ending, low point no Brendan Gleeson.