A Reel Review: BELFAST

In addition to his fine work in front of the camera, writer and director Kenneth Branagh has dabbled in many different genres. He brought The Bard to the big screen with HENRY V (1989), and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (1993), took a crack at horror with MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN (1994), and even journeyed into the Marvel universe with THOR (2011). Here in 2021, he brings his most personal tale to the screen with BELFAST. 

 

Belfast, Ireland, 1969. Buddy (Jude Hill), a young schoolboy, copes with the violence in his hometown, which effects his parents (Jamie Dorman, Caitriona Balfe), and his grandparents (Ciaran Hinds, Judi Dench). 

 

BELFAST is a film that is, quite specifically, dedicated to those who left, stayed, and were lost during what is known as The Troubles in Belfast; a conflict between its Catholic and Protestant people. It’s a conflict so deep-rooted that fire-bombs are tossed at houses, streets are blockaded, and the military is called in to quell the destruction. In the middle of all this is little Buddy, who just wants to read his comics (he actually reads a Thor comic. Ha, ha), watch movies, and find a way to get closer to a certain girl at school. 

 

It’s a personal film for Branagh as he grew up in Ireland, and he seemingly throws everything he remembered from his youth on the screen; from his favorite old films and TV shows, playing with toy cars, and using a garbage-can lid as a shield while slaying imaginary dragons. It works, and it works really well…as Branagh brilliantly captures the spirit of youth. 

 

Shot in glorious black-and-white with occasional splashes of color (timed perfectly), BELFAST looks gorgeous. Cheeky humor is nicely timed, and every shot gives us a lot to look at. The dramatic parts range from heartbreaking to shocking…but overall the film is a delight to take in. 

 

Acting is wonderful. Young Jude Hill carries the film and clearly has a bright future. Jamie Dorman and Caitriona Balfe are matched well together, and Ciaran Hinds and Judi Dench are a delight. 

 

BELFAST is not heavy on plot which makes it easy to digest. The real hook of the film; if the family would wait out the raging civil war or flee to England, doesn’t come until late in the film. That’s not a flaw, as that’s how Branagh remembered it, and it’s a treat that he decided to share that with us. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it