A brave film, true but not perfect

Rating: 7/10 (20 September 2006)

This is the first Ken Loach film I have seen. I was very surprised it reached Belgium at all, and presumably did because it won the Palme d'Or in Cannes. I am sorry to say that I saw this film on a Saturday night with the cinema only 25% full.
I am delighted that films like this are being made and are being recognised for their quality. Of course it is controversial, for several reasons, the portrayal of the violence and the ambivalence amongst the Irish, both during the armed action and after the treaty had been signed. However I cannot take issue with the veracity of what is portrayed. Many people will take issue with this, but before criticising, they should look at the history, which I think is being truly depicted here.
The performances were mostly admirable: I particularly liked Liam Cunningham's portrayal of the socialist idealist Dubliner amongst Cork men. I watched this film in the original language and with French subtitles: this was no problem for me because I understand Cork accents, but my bi-lingual wife had often to rely on the French subtitles, and I suspect that non-Irish people will have problems with some of the dialogue, even if they are native English speakers. However I realise that English sub-titles might have been regarded as some sort of political slur rather than an assistance to the audience.
This film differs widely from Neal Jordan's "Michael Collins" (one of my all time favourite films). Loach wisely made a completely different film, which tells the story of ordinary unknown people rather than the main historical figures of the time. It deals with action away from Dublin rather than the main events of the Easter Rising. Its major success is as an anti-war film; both during the armed action itself and through the political dialogue after the treaty was signed, the balancing issues are addressed - the brutality of the Black and Tans, the killing of the informer, and the teenage Scottish soldier who allowed the escape of the main characters. The three (yes three) strains of Irish politics were addressed, pro- and anti-treaty and the socialist view, and these must be regarded in the context of their relevance and validity at the time, rather than whether or not one regards these views as being valid in the context of 2006.
There is something about Loach's film making that is almost detached and unemotional: perhaps this is necessary in seeking the truth. His film left me angry that such things could happen, and are still happening in the world. On the other hand I left the cinema with dry eyes: this was not my reaction after seeing "Micael Collins".
7.5 out of 10, and looking forward to Ken Loach's next film