Not a masterpiece

Rating: 6/10 (12 October 2006)

I was really looking forward to watching this movie, which I did quietly at home on my own on a big screen. And I have to say I am disappointed. I cannot call myself a real movie-goer but I have studied Irish history and have taught it at University level here in France, so my recriminations will focus on this aspect of the movie.
It is true that the photography is superb, and that the actors are excellent, but I don't think this is enough to turn a movie into a masterpiece. My main criticism would be about the unbelievable simplicity of the confrontation: to put it in a few words, how come all British characters in the movie are cruel roaring idiots and all Irish characters able arguers ? Surely Mister Loach history cannot be that simple. I would also say that the movie itself is rather slow-paced (which is not always negative) and some scenes are so obviously didactic that it sounds like once more K. Loach is trying to teach someone a lesson. The starving child scene is a very good example. On the positive side, as mentioned, I will retain the excellent acting by most, if not all the actors, and the superb scenery that are used and not abused. One question now: I thought men and women could not sit together at mass at the time, especially 80+ years ago, am I wrong ?