REVIEW: Belfast

Set during The Troubles in late 1960s Northern Ireland, Belfast is an ambitiously simple film about a boy and his family trying both to navigate a challenging social turmoil and to stay together.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Belfast has strong indie and European roots, leaning heavily into the beautiful shots of landscapes and a black-and-white film style not often found in other films—or as masterfully executed. When you recognize the story largely draws from the director’s childhood experiences, the film becomes all the more impactful.

Relative newcomer Jude Hill, who stars as a young boy named Buddy, does a remarkable job conveying his character’s story, both in what he says and what he doesn’t. With Jamie Dornan (yes, the guy from Fifty Shades) playing Buddy’s father and the lovely Caitriona Balfe as the mother, this cast meshes well. Throw in Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds, and it all just works.

The story unfolds quietly and purposefully, with the exception of an inexplicable (though delightful) musical number. It brings moments of suspense and terror as viewed through the eyes of the characters, and explores loss, love and children growing up in a world full of complexities, pain and conflict.

It also faces, head-on, the role religion plays in a person’s life and identity—whether they want it to or not.

The bottom line: Those interested in history and more artistically driven storytelling will enjoy this one. 9/10