The Young Offenders (2016)
Peter Foott’s brilliantly funny film made an absolute fortune at the Irish box office. With a follow up TV series coming soon to BBC-3 now is the time to catch the film. Starring Alex Murphy and Chris Walley as Conor and Jock, two dopey but sweet natured lads who devise a plan to find a missing bale of drugs off the Cork coast. The film easily surpasses expectations with the laughs coming at a very fast rate. There is a poignancy to the film as well. A misjudged character introduced in the third act mars slightly but this is a great comedy film and one worth watching immediately. And then watching again. (Netflix)
★★★★
Handsome Devil (2017)
John Butler’s follow up to the enjoyable The Stag is a warm and sensitively told tale. A terrific young cast led by Fionn O’Shea as Ned with fine support by ‘old hands’ such as Moe Dunford, Andrew Scott and Michael McElhatton. The soundtrack is also great and music is weaved into films superbly. If the story and structure is a familiar one (Scott’s teacher veers into Dead Poets Society a little too much for this reviewer) the film is big hearted enough to overcome those issues. Handsome Devil also has a lovely message about acceptance to boot. Even someone with an aversion to rugby (ahem) will enjoy it! (Netflix)
★★★
Bloody Sunday (2002)
A restrained Paul Greengrass was the perfect choice of director to take on this harrowing story of brutal injustice. An excellent James Nesbitt leads the cast as the SDLP politician Ivan Cooper who was one of the main organisers of the civil rights march in Derry on 30 January 1972. The march ended when British Army paratroopers fired on the demonstrators, killing thirteen and wounding another who later died. There is an authentic feeling to proceedings and the film looks like it came directly from the seventies, all cigarette smoke stained brown walls and destroyed streets. An essential and harrowing watch. (Netflix)
★★★★
Love and Friendship (2016)
Whit Stillman took a short novel by Jane Austin (Lady Susan) and fashioned a dazzling part romance, part caper film that entertains throughout. Beckinsale is fantastic as Lady Susan Vernon, ably supported by Chloë Sevigny and Xavier Samuel. But the film is gently stolen by Tom Bennett whose Sir James walks away with every scene in which he appears with gormless brilliance. Stillman’s film has a light touch, a great script and charm in abundance. This is one of those films that most definitely earns the praise of one that the whole family will enjoy. (Netflix)
★★★★
CinÉireann / December 2017 69