ken loach - superb as always

Rating: 10/10 (1 July 2006)

While I agree with much of what my Irish cousins on here have to say - it is sad that they generalises so much about the views of the British public. The right wing media do not represent the knowledge and views of us all. I may be more a little more aware than many, as a Scot of Irish stock, but I have to say my own experience suggests that people have more knowledge, empathy and understanding than you have all been le to believe!
As for the film - as always Ken Loach allows the characters to tell the tale in such a human and natural way. beautiful cinematography, sensitive performances, and a realistic, unsentimental representation of how it was. My grandparents made a big thing of being Scots, and my Irish roots were all but denied, it was so hard to be an immigrant, be accepted and find work. (then as now!) This for me is their stories, my history, and I thank Ken Loach for being the voice of ordinary people, in all of his films. from Glasgow, from Greenock, from Ireland from Spain, from Nicaragua, he relates their struggles, gives us a taste, a memory, a sense of being there. He is a true poet. PS - My husband is a thoroughbred Englishman, and he loved the film too!