john-k-1

I am a big fan of historical dramas and have always thought that French directors do them very well. This, however, was one of the poorer efforts I have seen. I wouldn't be as hard on it as the reviewer who gave it 1 (awful). I found it absorbing enough but rather too long. The battle scenes seemed authentic in showing what it probably was like back then. The portrayal of life in the 16th century was good. The problem was with the characters who didn't have much depth in my opinion. To Richard I would mention that it was not uncommon in those days for masters and servants to sleep in the same bed. It had no sexual connotations. I think it was just for warmth.

I had heard about this short film but only saw it for the first time on Sunday last. It is, I think, unrealistic in this respect: although most Irish people may not be able to speak Irish fluently I believe most would recognize the language, especially when enunciated as clearly as by the character in the film. I doubt many would mistake it for Chinese.

But that is a minor reservation. It is a delightful film. The main character beautifully expressed the bewilderment at discovering that the language he had learned was not spoken much in Ireland's capital. and I loved the ending. A little gem of a film!