Currently second favourite behind The Power of the Dog in the odds for the Best Picture award at this year’s Oscars, Belfast was one of the most anticipated films of 2022. Director Kenneth Branagh, who also wrote the screenplay, has a largely impressive track record, with Henry V, in my opinion, the finest representation of Shakespeare’s work on the screen and one of the best films of the 1980’s. This is probably his most personal work, drawing on his own childhood to depict a young boy, Buddy, growing up in 1960’s Belfast, at a time when The Troubles were flaring-up.
Whilst this is, at times, slightly sentimental and when seen through the eyes of Buddy, an idealised look back at the time, it certainly does not shirk from showing the hatred and brutality of the period. In fact, it does it in a much more realistic and nuanced way than most Hollywood movies that tend to glorify the struggle of the Irish against their British “oppressors”. Branagh’s decision to shoot the film in black and white brings an extra level of realism, bringing to mind grainy footage from the time. Also his fluid use of his camera in certain key scenes brings both a sense of urgency and a heightened childlike wonder.
The cast are universally excellent. Jude Hill does remarkably well as Buddy, Judi Dench provides gravity and pathos as his Gran and Catriona Balfe a fierce intensity as his Mum. Ciaran Hands also makes a telling contribution as Buddy’s grandad, with Lara McDonnell impressing as a troublesome friend.
It is hard to find fault with this intelligent and warm film though there is one musical scene towards the end that felt like it was from another movie and the liberal use of Van Morrison on the soundtrack was a bit too obvious.
Rating: 9 out of 10