Belfast

Belfast (2021)

I was quite excited for Belfast. The trailer promised an uplifting coming-of-age tale to the inspiring soundtrack of Everlasting Love by Love Affair. What you get is something quite different. A romantic and whimsical introduction to the city in 1969 is quickly shattered by a horrifying riot which sets the pace for the rest of the film. Experiencing this through a child’s gaze only intensifies the terror.

Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh (doing a 2019 Bradley Cooper and amassing three Oscar nominations) this is an autobiographical love letter to his childhood during the onset of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. He illustrates the youthful innocence exquisitely as we join young Buddy on school tests, cinema trips and being lead astray into shoplifting a Turkish Delight. All handled with such care you can’t help falling in love with this family. Branagh certainly thinks highly of his parents as he casts a couple of radiant angels to play them. Caitriona Balfe and Jamie Dornan both shine with Balfe in particularly transcending with most of the heavy lifting. Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds complete the jovial brood as the devoted grandparents always on hand with a light put down or wise anecdote.

Jude Hill as the joyful and mischievous Buddy nails it without ever getting syrupy. Branagh succeeds in capturing the pure focus of a child playing while oblivious to the hushed conversations of stressed parents. And Hill is never more endearing than when he tries to excel in a test just to sit closer to the object of his affections.

Visually stunning, Belfast handles fear with heart and humour; succeeding in finding kindness and humour amidst a frightening and menacing environment. Quite depressing with a smattering of lightness and mirth. Have a sitcom lined up to watch after this.

8 Heartbreaking Thumbs Up 👍🏻