Barber

In Irish crime drama "Barber" Aiden Gillen (likeable as ever as he channels Richard Gere) is a grizzled ex-police private dick who's hired by Diedre Donnelly to track down her missing granddaughter, which leads him into a relatively simple #metoo related case with classic elements like a dodgy politician, corrupt police (Liam Carney) & a powerful bullying stepfather (David Herlihy). Meanwhile Gillen has his own issues to deal with, as society (Dublin's in particular) changes around him. It's sluggish, tv-standard fare but Gillan and its interesting broad subject matter (from writers Fintan Connolly (who also directed) & Fiona Bergin) make it passable enough.

An off kilter private dick story anchored by an authentic and rich central performance and surrounded by a winning support cast. Consistently stylish without affectation, hard working and blessed with an easy sophistication it is staggering to think of its narrative scope and shooting schedule, budget, etc. At times surprisingly densely written the archetypal is suffused with a hurt that convinces and enobles this broken family as they desperately try to not drown in their dysfunction. Connolly at this stage (third feature with the artistic, naturally talented DP Owen McPolin) is now easily one of the most distinctive directors in this country and with each film is growing in maturity yet still retains the sparkle of youth as the image and sound purrs with a primary coloured sensuality. Fiona Bergin, producer of said team, expands her ownership by cowriting this moody meditation on dealing with pain through tenderness, do yourself a favour and catch it on the big screen in April. A class ac.

Maybe I'm biased being Irish and a fan of Aidan, but I really enjoyed this. I identified with the characters it had a good story. It was obviously low budget and some of the acting wasn't fluid, but it was very enjoyable and I would watch a sequel if it was made.

This may not be seen as favourably outside of ireland and is not your typical private eye movie. Some nice twists.

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Barber is a postmodernist Irish thriller. The film's noir elements are evident in its portrayal of Dublin as a dark and foreboding city, where danger lurks around every corner. The city is depicted as a labyrinthine space, where characters are trapped in their own desires and fears. The use of shadows and chiaroscuro lighting creates an atmosphere of unease and tension, adding to the overall sense of dread.

Val Barber is a classic noir protagonist, a flawed hero struggling with his own demons. His search for the missing girl becomes an obsession, as he becomes increasingly entangled in a web of deceit.

The film's plot twists and turns, revealing new layers of deception and intrigue that will leave viewers questioning everyone's motives.

The film's postmodernist elements are evident in its use of intertextuality and self-reflexivity. The film references other works of art, such as literature and cinema, blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction. The film also comments on its own status as a work of art, drawing attention to its own construction.

The Lacanian psychoanalytic perspective offers an interesting lens through which to view the film. The film's portrayal of Dublin as a labyrinthine space can be seen as a metaphor for the psyche. Val Barber's search for the missing girl can be seen as a quest for self-knowledge, as he confronts his own desires and fears.

Overall, Barber is a complex and thought-provoking film that rewards multiple viewings. Its blend of noir elements and postmodernist techniques creates an atmosphere of unease and tension that will leave viewers on edge. Its exploration of the psyche through a Lacanian lens adds another layer of depth to an already richly layered film.

Just disappointing from start to finish. It failed to capture, failed to take off. At no point does it ever feel captivating or progressing. The writing is poor and some of the scenes it creates are cringe at best. I'm all for Irish films, but the story in this lasts little in the memory. Though the film was just 90 minutes or so, I honestly felt like it was much longer due to how slowly it moved and how lacking the scenes were of interesting dialogue. Overall, i was hoping for the best, but some of the casting was questionable - but even so, the script content never really had much hope. I would recommend avoiding.