St Patrick's Day Special: Eamonn Reviews Belfast.

 In Terms of a Conflict that Continues to Leave a Scar on It's Country's History, None Runs Deeper Than the "Troubles" In Northern Ireland in the later Decades Of the 20th Century.

As One of Two of the British Countries of the United Kingdom whose Governments are an Assembly, Made to, on Paper, to pass Laws in Northern Ireland to Appease Both the Kingdom it belongs to and the Country it Shares a Border With Physically.

However That wasn't always the case, Especially When Class and Religion was brought into the conflict and Unrest. Soon Whole Communities from the poorest to the Richest, Imploded Solely Because the Exploitation of Groups like The I.R.A And the Red Hand Defenders, Fanning the flames and Writing the narrative of a "Religious war" between the Catholics and The Protestants.

However in all Struggles there are people who endured despite all the hate speech and Street riots.

This is one of those stories from the Capital of Northern Ireland.

Belfast.

 

While a Group shot is very minimal and doesn't really tell us the plot, the ratings and Accolades make up for that! The Shot of Buddy Leaping in the Air with a Wooden Sword and Dustbin Lid in the Air, completely carefree playing soldiers....Without knowing what was coming!

The Film is presented in black and white to invoke both 60's Nostalgia and the Grimness of the Troubles.

 

We Open On Modern Day Belfast Present in 4k HD colour, But this is not the Belfast with the Titanic Museum, and the art and Murals and the Architecture we covering, we are covering the Belfast of 1969, As the Bustling Council Estate Shows the Slice of life of that time. A young Mother calling for her son Buddy (Jude Hill), As the camera follows a typical summer's day, people outside enjoying the sun, people in button down shirts returning from work, Kids playing outside the shop after going there for sweets. After playing with his sword and shield he heads home, only to to be stopped in his tracks by a group of Rioters, who cause an uproar by throwing stones and Molotov Cocktails, even pulling out a drain grate to smash windows and setting a car on fire, thankfully Buddy's Mother (Caitriona Balfe) and Brother save the young boy and bring him inside for safety, as the Leader Makes his intentions clear get every Catholic out of "Their" Country, or they will be back.

The Next Day, Buddy leaves the house and Sees the Carnage Wrought the day before, Burnt car Chassis, Bandaged friends, Catholic Houses marked like they were victims of the Plague, and Council Workers and Civilian Volunteers taking up paving stones and building a barricade.

However we know what happened Next as the British Army came to Enforce Peace and Only saw People in Council Estates as Vermin who will turn to Crime, anyway!

So, time to get this out of the way!

Despite the Jobsworth Soldiers not letting him pass to Begin with, Buddy's Father has returned from England to check on his family's safety. Dad (Jamie Dornan) are joined by A Granny and Pop (Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds) The Attack has Stunned the Grandparents and May compound on Pops' "Hospital Visits" and Dad's "Trouble".

The Bells Ring for Catholic Mass and though Buddy's Family are Not, they are attending Church for the "Business" of asking for money to rebuild. Dad makes it up to Buddy on bringing him to the cinema, But Mam reminds Buddy, His Cousins are coming to say Goodbye to Dad in a going away party, Much to Buddy's unhappiness that he won't be a "Vigilante". Besides, all the Westerns and gangster films are becoming a toxic influence. Buddy says that going to mass when you do something wrong like a Catholic must be great, because they have Confessionals, But Dad Says the Reason Catholics believe that is that Catholism is "A Religion of Fear"

And on that Statement, We've Smash Cut into A Shadowy Church and an Angry Priest preaches Death to Protestants, As Buddy sits wide eyed and in Terror.... BEFORE he Clears his throat and in a soft Mellifluous tone, says one word: Money! In a Bit of Humour Buddy Sharply Donates, seemingly Convinced  by the priest.

That night and Spotlights evade what little Privacy the residents have left. Buddy, still shaken by the Priest's Sermon of a "Fork in the Road", Draws one. The next morning, the house is Preparing for Dad's Going away party and other family have arrived, but A Catholic Volunteer refused to let them in and will hold a Grudge about it!

Due to the Era we are in there is a lot of Jazz Music, As opposed to anything on the pop side of the era, and for Cultural reasons. Jazz is very popular in the North, given that there is a theme of Hope and Hardship, in the life and music of Jazz musicians.

Buddy is playing when two men appear from nowhere, Billy Clanton and Rick Nory. Buddy recognizes Clanton as The leader of the riot, So he hurries to find his father. This is the "trouble" he was in. Clanton is trying to recruit other Protestants. Frankie, the old Catholic playing Bouncer says as he walks past Dad that as much as he would love to tear down this Barricade, Maybe there is a reason to keep it up. 

The next day the Family go to the cinema, and instead of a Western go to 1 Million, BC. Much to the Disappointment of Mam, the Moment Raquel Welch bounces on Screen! That night still Shaken by Clanton, Dad warns his Sons not Agree to anyone to wants you to liberate, do Jobs or Send messages without telling Mam, Since he is Leaving for England as soon as the school run is over. Buddy uses the bathroom in the middle of the night and hears his parents arguing about his gambling and not being around when he does return. But years of paying back tax will soon be behind them, Dad Proposes that the family immigrate to Canada.

As the days turns into weeks, Buddy gets a crush on a Girl in his class. So gets Advice from Grandad and Granny, that leads to Buddy goes for sweets and Stands outside the Girl's house, the Tensions rise as soldiers are now searching residents and Clanton is seen Dragging his Son by the arm who he had sent to  beg for the cause, Goes to the House of a man who not only refused but told the Boy that War is pointless. So Clanton Punches him, for saying that to his boy, and turns to see Buddy and threatens his father, should be come back!

The Bills are piling up and Dad is not coming home anytime soon. Meanwhile on a lighter note. Buddy's passing grade in English let's him to the top of the class, however, expecting to be sat beside Catherine he's Disappointed that she's sitting behind him.

So Buddy has a shot on Talking to her During a Project on the Moon landing, So he Turns up the charm by giving her Flowers.

Sadly, It's not Smooth Sailing for Buddy.

For you see, Buddy and Will have a Cousin called Moira, who is a bad influence. She was seen talking to Buddy about "Telling the Difference between Us and Them" and Wanting Buddy to be in a gang, so now she had enlisted Buddy to steal sweets from the cornershop, one of the other Children that had being Convinced gets Caught as Buddy and his cousin, makes a Dash with only one bar of Turkish Delight. A passerby tells Buddy his Dad is home despite it being Wednesday, So Buddy makes it home, But Drops the Bar, there is already enough trouble as is.

Buddy soon learns that Dad is back because of something Foolish Mam has Done. Mam had sent a letter to the Inland Revenue to Confirm that they paid their Back taxes in full to Confirm that they are not a credit risk. Only for the Revenue to find out Da was in prison and added £500 pounds of tax that he didn't pay for the 2 year stint. Of Course Ma Doesn't believe him and think he had drunk and Gambled away all her hard Work. 

So to make up for this, Dad has asked to be part of the 5 year Job to build what will be a Hospital for Children in London. Granny shudders at the word, she doesn't want to hear nothing about hospitals, what with her Screening coming up. Buddy and Dad talk to each other his Worries of Granny Dying and Emigrating. Buddy walks through the Gates, But hides behind a bike shed, When Billy Clanton Confronts his Father, but His Father knows Clanton for far too long, he's no "Soldier", he's just a "Jumped up Gangster", before walking away and leaving the North again.

The police have arrived after Mr Singh has reported To the Police the Attempted Robbery. With Mam not needing Potentially being Banned from the only Shop in walking Distance on top of everything else!

The truth Apparent when a Tax Inspector will come to the House Without Dad, Who Came Back when Will was Nearly Recruited into the Defenders, Via what he thought was a Legitimate Milk Round, Only for Clanton to Appear and Will escaping by punching one of them in the nose, while he and Buddy ran off. Later Dad is Helping Buddy with Homework and learning from Will he's Interested in Australia, Maybe living there in the Future. 

We cut to a More Happier scene, the family, including Moira, playing in the park, Though to one Side, Mam is talking to Granny about really Considering leaving Belfast, Factoring in her Health, Granny with a smile, tells her she had lived long enough and the family Doesn't Need her Anymore!

Da is leaving for Years as the Family have One last party, Afterwards Pop and Granny Reminisces, Before she tells him that tomorrow he is getting a Check up at the hospital, while she's being screened, even if she had to drag him into Reception, Do you hear me? She says.

("I always have. sure, When have I not?") Says the former Miner, before he walks off with a cough that Progressively gets Worse and Worse!

Da has Come back to tell Mam that he's being Considered for a Promotion to Foreman. It even comes with a house for Bigger Than what they are living in. But Mam is a realist. They will be leaving everyone and Everything they know.  Going to London means half won't understand them and the other half will be racist towards them. Dad tells them that he needs an Answer by Christmas.

Cut to Whiteabbey Hospital in November. And Pop is staying in the Hospital, The Condition of his lungs worse to warrant a stay. Money is now too tight for Christmas Eve as the Rent man is being Hid From.  

Buddy tells Pop About the House Da is getting. But He does share in the worry that Noone will understand him in London. So Pop tells a story about how that was the case when he worked in Leicester, So what he did, was Speak in a Different Accent everyday to annoy his co-workers, until they learned to Understand the Ulster Accent. ("If People Don't Understand, Then that Means They Are Not Listening") He ends by telling Buddy, That No matter where he goes, He'll Always Be Buddy From Belfast 15. So He asks What Buddy Wants (He Means From Christmas) And Buddy says Pop and Granny to come with them which Saddens Pop!

After going to A Christmas Carol with Granny at a theatre, Buddy on the Bus home asks her if she went with Pop when he worked in England, To which she answers No! She is Told Da will Return for Christmas and they are going to see "Titty Titty Bang Bang" Much to the Shock of Granny on the Mispronounced Name. She loves her films too, when she was Younger, and she use to dream of wanting to crawl into the Screen and live in one of those Face-off places, ever since seeing the film Lost Horizions. But The Saddest she ever was in her life was learning Shangra-La Doesn't Exist!

Christmas Day and Mam and Da are now an United Front On Going to the London, Much To Buddy's Anguish on Leaving Granny and Pop Behind. When they send Buddy to have a Nap, The Parents Are Back at an Impasse, So they will decide at Easter, However with all the Tension, Will the family....or even the marriage , last that long?  

3 months Later and Moira Grabs Buddy Against his will, She has Completely being Recruited by Clanton and so Both are marching in a riot in a Catholic Street to Loot a Supermarket.

 

 So When Mam Drags the Children out, After Buddy Steals a Box of Washing Powder. So Mam Drags Buddy back to Drag Moira Out, Until Clanton Kidnaps them, Until Da, Will and the Army Surround him.

 

Clanton Pulls a pistol, But Will Throws a Brick to Dad who disarms Clanton by Breaking his hand, Opening up for the Army to Arrest Him.

Sitting around looking at the Box of Washing Powder Buddy Stole, Ma has decided, For their Safety to Move to London, once the rent is paid in full.

Telling Pop in Hospital they are leaving. He's Hopeful til the last ("Belfast will always be here, and I won't be anywhere You Can't Find Me!")

Getting an A in project with Catherine, and Saying goodbye to their Cousins Before they leave forever. There is a knock at the Door, Buddy Opens it And sees an Undertaker. Soon Buddy Runs Teary-eyed to the pub and to collect his father.

We Cut to Some time later and Pop's Wake. A funeral is held and Afterwards Granny Own health is Fading too. However that Night a Trip to the Pub for Singing and Dancing is what The Doctor Ordered. The Next day Reality Sets In

The House is Empty, Pop's Saddles and Wood work Remains Unfinished. As at First Light 4 figures with Suitcases walk out of Belfast 15 for the last time. Buddy and Catherine Exchange Goodbyes and Mementos. Before he gets on the Bus, Buddy Reveals to Da, Catherine is a Catholic, But  Da says as long you Love and Respect Whoever you end up with, Religion doesn't Matter. And So the Film ends with Granny telling Da (To the Camera) to Go and Not look Back, and that he loves Him. as she Closes the door to her House and Starts Crying and So the last thing we see is the Shipworks in Full colour and the sun setting over Modern Belfast, The Film Dedicated to those who Stayed, Who left, and those who died, On both sides of the Conflict.

A FILM MASTERCLASS!

A Triumph for Kenneth Branagh, Belfast is a film That Plays long in the Memory, because they got everything right. Black and white Film for the Events of this film and Colour for tv programs not the news, films and Even A theatre Scene filmed for this film, is used to denote what is Real and what is fiction. Having Irish and Northern Irish actors also Helped in the immersion, Even Judi Dench's accent was Convincing enough! 

Speaking of convincing, The Actions of the Family (Which is never given a surname and that the only Complaint I have!) Is so recognizable Especially the scene in the Cinema, where all the Adults play along with the Flight Scene of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to keep the Scene of Wonder, the Kids may lose forever, Because this film like the Jazz Songs used, speak of Hope and Hardship, a Hardship that's all consuming, one that splits Neighbourhoods Apart. Despite the Friendliness of the opening Scene and Solidarity after,  people start to Change, The Catholic Neighbours form a Neighborhood watch that starts to be Accusatory, even local business  like the Milkmen and their own Cousin are not immune, Given how Moira was Turned so easily, and not even a Victim, ironically she being the Catalyst that led to Buddy's family leaving, and though Clanton was Arrested, It's Bittersweet, they are leaving Belfast, Because they have to! It's sad that it Ends with the Family Leaving after the Death of One Grandparent and the Ailing Health of another, But this is The Ending that Makes Sense! Because It Happen too Many!

With a Star Cast and Two Starmaker turns for Caitriona Balfe and Jude Hill, this is a film that balances Humour and Grief In a film about the Troubles, Without being Too Visceral or Marginalizing the Tragedy. Great Stuff!

NEXT MONTH ON BOGGER BOX OFFICE....

Someone Who looks like Will Smith is ruining his good name.... yeah Expect Talentless Son Jokes A-Plenty! When We Review Gemini Man!

CREDITS

Belfast was Reviewed, Compiled and Edited, By Eamonn Bermingham (@RealEnli on Twitter and Mastodon World Server!)

With Media from:

Belfast

MST3K

Belfast was produced by Focus Features and Distributed by Universal studios. All rights reserved. All Media used Belong to their respective owners.