KalmarShuffler

I want to make it clear from the start that I HIGHLY recommend this movie. This is one of those rare critically acclaimed films that actually deserve the praise and awards it gets. Easily one of the best films of 2021.

Belfast was written and directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, and is a semi-autobiographical film set in Belfast, Ireland in the late 1960s. The story focuses on nine-year-old Buddy and his working class family during the start of The Troubles (a Northern Ireland conflict separating Protestants and Catholics).

The exact details of the plot would be hard to summarize, so I'm not going to try.

But I am going to discuss what I loved about it.

You can tell that Kenneth didn't make this film solely for "entertainment" purposes. It's a love letter to his hometown and childhood.

Even in the midst of political, neighborly, and parental conflict, you get to see Buddy experience normal childhood issues.

First crush.

Peer pressure.

Sick grandparent.

He may be living in stressful times, but he never stops being a kid. I think that's one of the best things about the movie. While adult problems impact his life, he's still a kid being a kid.

The film's greatest strength (outside of Kenneth's directing and Oscar-winning writing) is the cast. With acting legends Dame Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds in supporting roles as Buddy's grandparents, Caitríona Balfe and Jamie Dornan as Buddy's parents, Colin Morgan as the film's "antagonist," and newcomer Jude Hill as Buddy himself, the film is filled with outstanding performances! If I had to single out anyone, it would be Jude, Judi, and Ciarán. For a ten-year-old kid in his film debut, Jude gives a perfect performance. And Judi and Ciarán are very worthy of their Oscar nominations. Their scenes with Jude were my absolute favorites in the whole film.

(There's also some great humorous moments, including an obvious and hilarious dig at Edmund Pevensie from Narnia.)

I'm not typically a fan of black-and-white films, but it works extremely well here (especially with the emphasis on color for the movie scenes).

The production design, costumes, and cinematography were all incredible, and the songs and score from Van Morrison fit perfectly.

My only complaints would be that I wish the movie was longer, and I wish there was a bit more historical context.

At an hour and thirty-eight minutes, the film is paced very well (there's no unnecessary scenes anywhere), but I loved Buddy and his family, and I would not have been upset if there was an extra thirty minutes to an hour with them.

As for the context, some is given in the beginning, but not enough for someone (like me) who had never heard of The Troubles before. Perhaps that was intentional on Kenneth's part (after all, too much extra information can bog the narrative down). It doesn't detract much from the movie, but it did lead me to do some research on the conflict after the movie was over (which, I guess, is a good thing).

But those are minimal complaints.

Like I said at the top of this review, I highly recommend Belfast. It's a gem that deserves more recognition.

Surprisingly tender and emotional, Breathe is an underrated gem about love, life, faithfulness, and humanity.

The film stars Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man, Hacksaw Ridge, Tick, Tick... Boom!) and Claire Foy (The Crown, Little Dorrit, Wolf Hall) as Robin and Diana, respectively. They are the literal heartbeat of this movie. Both of them deliver incredible performances that somehow were missed by the BAFTAs and Oscars. The love and emotion the two of them portrayed together was beautiful. I can't express enough how much I loved the two of them on screen!

The rest of the cast surrounding them (including Hugh Bonneville and Tom Hollander) do a great job, as well, but none of them can compare to Andrew and Claire.

While the cinematography and score are excellent, I do have a few issues with the script and editing.

For one, a lot of supporting characters aren't introduced very well. It's clear that Robin and Diana know them, but *how* is unclear.

And two, a particular anxiety-inducing scene is immediately followed by an upbeat song introducing Hugh's character. It's not atrociously done, but I would've preferred a bit more breathing room between the two.

But those are small complaints in the light of such an inspiring story.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again and again til the day I die.

Rogue One is the greatest and the best Star Wars film ever made.

Rewatching it after seeing Andor creates almost an entirely new experience, which is a wonderful thing.

If I could pick any movie to see again for the first time, it would be this one.

The characters are so great.

The acting is impeccable.

The writing is perfect.

The score is incredible.

The action sequences are insane.

There's just the right amount of fan service without ruining the story.

And the heart?

The heart is breathtakingly beautiful.

Gareth, Tony, and all the cast and crew?

Thank you for making this incredible film that still stands up almost a decade later.

Thank you all so much!