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.

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.

The film is a family drama related to crimes of sexual violence. This is a drama in the detective genre, affecting social conflicts and the "MeToo" movement, in particular. The film is for fans of the genre, if you are not interested in theses of this kind, then this is not for you. The characters are interesting, the dialogues are meaningful; the detective story fades into the background of the plot and returns to the finale - a kind of plot elevator. The actors are wonderful, the main character is charming, and a kind father; the daughter is sweet and touching. But cinema is for a fan of the genre, yes, the picture is good, but not for me.

Deidrie Donnelly hires Private Detective Val Barber to find her missing granddaughter. Barber, an excellent Policeman finds bus progress blocked at every corner, his investigations lead him to covers up and sexual exploitation.

It's a decent film, a good storyline with good actors and some interesting characters. It's a little old fashioned in some ways, it's the kind of thing I could have imagined being out out in 2004, shock gay Detective comes out etc. It's still worth a look however.

Aiden Gillen is excellent as always, he's one of those actors who seems to add a little something, he has a bit of swagger, he's a bit cocky, but he's very talented.

Quinn was a bit of a stereotype, my only gripe I guess, in this day or CCTV and cameras everywhere, I found it hard to imagine an experienced Detective would behave publicly in such a way.

Decent enough.

6/10.

A very enjoyable detective film. Nice transitions. A good amount of content in a 90 minute movie. Love, family, tragedy, comedy, social politics, etc. Are touched upon. With some good ol' guilt to boot. Some very nice cinematic moments as we see the night views of Dublin. It has some noir to it. A bit of a whodunit. I cherish B-movies at times due to the wide net of appeal, bulging budgets, and cliché storytelling of AAA titles. On most occasions, this style of movie is more in-line of film as art. Great acting by the lead. The rest are good enough. Story could be more playful to the whodunit element but works. Maybe it is too much content with the multiple storylines for the length but, the length is refreshing. Easy to digest. I rated against the totality of films I have seen and rated from City Lights to The Deer Hunter to Anchorman. Maybe it's a 7. Watch it if you like mystery, detective, thriller, suspense, noir. I would like to see at least a sequel. Perhaps a trilogy. After all, character's with their name in the title often get sequels these days.