Belfast reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@sueferguson8634]

I have seen the film twice. The first time with my family. The second time I saw it alone. I didn't see it in a theater. Both times I streamed it. I was amazed at how much I missed the first time through. I loved the story, the way it was filmed, the cast and all the music. The "Everlasting Love" sequence I thought fit right in. The couple had been having trouble and as Pa sang, it was as if he was really singing hopefully. When Ma smiled at him and started dancing he looked at her with such relief on his face. You just knew things were hopeful in spite of everything. I am an American, live in Texas, and the movie was an eye opener for me. I hope that Sunday it gets best picture.

[@DarrenBates]

Went to see this yesterday with my sister (15) in Dublin. Absolutely loved it. Have a feeling it could well be the biggest hit in Irish cinemas, north and south. Whether it's the best picture of the year, I don't know, but I totally get Mark saying it strikes that perfect chord between audiences and critics. Seriously - go to this film. Being the teens, bring the grandparents. They'll all love it.

[@johnmay3010]

It certainly is so far this year.

[@1000whispering]

That singing scene they are talking about at the end is a mixture of fantasy and reality I thought. Some of the scenes came across how the child would remember them rather than exactly what happened. That goes for the scene towards the end, which on face value seems unrealistic or unlikely, but would be how a child might remember it later in life.

[@katford7286]

I never thought of it that way; it makes sense. Out of the entire movie, which we all agree was stellar, that scene stood out weirdly for me as just not really fitting with the rest of the film, but considering that it might be how a kid would see it, helps to make it all work.

[@1000whispering]

@@katford7286 yeah. His dad was a hero to him. The lines of the police and the family in the middle are not right, it's too perfect. But exactly how you might remember it later. The music scene has the locals playing horns/trumpets and it's not quite right, but he is remembering the atmosphere everyone brought to the room. And focussing on the relationship of his parents. When you realise that scene, we both know about, is actually done in that style it makes sense. The outings to the cinema include it as well. A child's memory of seeing chitty chitty bang bang for the first time. The kitchen sink drama in the house is realistic because that's just normal life, all events of significant drama and adrenaline are ever so slightly distorted by the lense of memory. I am pretty certain with the amount of moments like this scattered throughout it was done on purpose. And its actually incredibly subtle. But distinct as well.

[@imsosmart942]

I had a chance to go to Belfast for a day trip when I was in Joplin couple of years ago. I was not prepared for what I saw! They have a fleet of taxi drivers that does Tours, group or solo, and one of the drivers met me at the train station. He took me all around explaining the history, stopping at different points and we walked around a little bit. Afterwards I asked him where his favorite place was to get a beer and he directed me to a little Cellar where I had some stew in a Stein. All the old guys came in with their t-shirts and suit coats and hats on. It was just divine!!

[@zsht]

My dear friend is the same age as Branagh and spent much of his childhood in Belfast. His memories of cold nights, cold baths, sharing beds in cold houses, fear on the streets and anxiety in the air don’t align much with Branagh’s portrayal, so he said he found it hard to engage. I’ll judge it for myself when I see it, but it is interesting to hear the drastic clash of perspective.

[@colinip2747]

Been to Belfast many times, driven on the streets that cut across the years of The Troubles, have friends from Belfast who have talked about those days from their own eyes as a kid and from their parents' stories, and personally grew up listening to news about that era leading from it. Also have made that decision to leave family, friends and familiarity for a better life. This film resonated strongly with me. Loved it for it's simple story telling of hope and bravery.

[@Carpetf]

saw this tonight in the reopened and packed Electric Cinema in Brum, and what a lovely film. so much heart and a fantastic performer from the young newcomer

[@letmetellyalilstory9122]

So happy to hear it's re-opened. Great cinema 👍

[@donciseau]

Great film!

[@johnmay3010]

Yes I thought Jude Hill was amazing .

[@kevinbirt8110]

I saw this film last Sunday at Home in Manchester. So special. I saw Distant Voices, Still Lives with my son there about 3 years ago and Terence Davies was giving a Q&A. We met him afterwards. A gracious and wonderful man. Saw Belfast with son too. He said it was the best film he'd seen in ages...I was just happy I'd watched it with my son and watched his face so full of joy.

[@albowskitv]

I had a Pop and Granny. I had the same seating system when I was a 7 year old in primary school. What a movie!

[@drraoulmclaughlin7423]

I'm really looking forward to seeing this film. Excellent Director and cast. I was at the Strand Arts Centre Cinema (East Belfast) last month to see a special showing of the 1962 Feature Film - 'The Spartans'. The Strand is an original old-style Venue and would be a great place to see Branagh's new film.

[@Hutchyy]

Did you mean "The 300 Spartans"?

[@georgecoulson1153]

Saw this at a secret screening a few weeks ago, not knowing what I was going in to watch and left knowing I had watched something truly great. It's one of those movies that reminds me why film has endured as a medium. A film that left my friend and I in silence for a full five minutes after the credits rolled. Glorious.

[@ronanocallaghan]

Apparently I’m a miserable grinch. I grew up in Belfast, was 15 in 1969. My overall reaction to the movie was ‘Well it’s not hard to see Kenneth Branagh didn’t grow up in Belfast.” Not after age 9 anyway. The cast did really well with a very weak script. The whole plot arc of the da being threatened by a local ‘hood’ was utterly unconvincing. I was torn between enjoying the great song Everlasting Love and the toe curling lack of credibility in that scene. If it was the wee boy’s fantasy I wish that had been made clear. The ‘vigilantes’ striding up the street with burning torches while a searchlight played …. so stagey and made no sense. The looting of the local supermarket out of the blue - no recollection of that ever happening. It’s fascinating to see how this piece has been received. Good luck to Branagh for pulling off this sleight of hand. And to Ciaran Hinds, who deserves his Oscar for much better roles he has played.

[@edd4875]

Very much agree. I commented earlier hat it was a collection of scenes shot for sentiment and style and not a through story.

[@SuperMrfafa]

Agree with you both. I took my Gran who was raised in Derry and lived there during The Troubles and she was bored and unimpressed. It certainly looks very nice and the acting is quite good, but it felt overly theatrical and therefore I didn't really buy into the narrative. I have a feeling it'll win best picture - total Oscar bait: 1. Black and White 2. Period Drama 3. Film and cinema are part of the story 4. Amazingly, the only coloured parts in the movie are the films shown.

[@patrickocallaghan3429]

I'd add a point that I don't think anyone has brought up: Billy is shown watching The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance on TV. The best-known quote from that movie (not shown here) comes towards the end, when a newspaperman says "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." I can't help wondering if Branagh was thinking of this when he included a nod to that film. Other quibbles which broke the spell, such as it was: a corner shop run by a Sikh grocer, a mixed-race teacher, the little Catholic girl in Billy's class. None of those things ring true to anyone who lived in Belfast in the 60s.

[@65tallulah]

Completely with you.

[@TW-mc9wk]

I Agree . Having read the rave reviews, I was expecting more.

[@maggiemulligan8605]

Saw it yesterday. For me it was a brilliant snapshot memory of a child coping with violence through escapism in the movies. The High Noon analogy towards the end....just wonderful.

[@pdzombie1906]

Someone saw Roma and tried to do his own take, but someone is not Alfonso Cuarón...

[@chairman-wow]

The street Mark refers to is Mountcollyer Street, and it was bulldozed some 15+ years ago. Coincidentally, as a young boy, I rode in one of the bulldozers as it was flattened.

[@johnmay3010]

Sir Ken has delivered a stunning film should win many awards. Great Script, Cast, Direction and Gags (Turkish Delight)

[@johnPaul-qn3dg]

I loved this, a strangely uplifting film for its subject.

[@normadesmond6017]

this is such an amazing movie. I grew up in the Netherlands in streets like this. It was quit moving how much the same it was. A must see.

[@Hutchyy]

Was their a similar political backdrop in the Netherlands?

[@normadesmond6017]

@@Hutchyy no. not really. I grew up in the south of the Netherlands and that's mostly catholic. But whatever religion people had didn't matter much. We were the same because we were working class. We stood by each other. My father was a heart patient in a time where not much could be done for that kind of an illness. But my mother knew that she could any neighbour out of bed in the middle of the night when there was something wrong with him. I really had tears in my eyes during this movie, because it reminded me so much of my youth. It's gone now. And I would give anything to go back there again. Never felt more save then there.

[@Hutchyy]

@@normadesmond6017 thanks for sharing :)

[@ChrisInTheNorth]

Just seen the film, I'm still digesting it, I think its a film worth seeing more than once to pick up on details.. But I thought I'd post to say the singing scene that Mark thought was Simon, I back Simon.... It was at the grandfather's wake, yes?

[@107bobaphat]

According to Mark I'm officially a Grinch now... Slightly schmaltzy and only a little sticky? I found it very movie of the week, only with A-listers, better camerawork and sets. I saw three films last week: Licorice Pizza, The Worst Person In The World (Verdens verste menneske) and this. The first two are really on another level, and more deserving of Best Picture IMHO.

[@fuckyt69]

LP 👎

[@neildeeley4177]

I saw this three weeks ago as it was the mystery screening for unlimited members at Cineworld. When I saw the title I groaned and tried to get my friend to go, I stuck through it and it was good.

[@malvanlondon8683]

Belfast didn't go to the extremes - but I loved it!

[@footballgeorgiebest]

I cried and laughed in equal measure. Loved Belfast.

[@deadlypalms]

One glance reminds me of ROMA and I wouldn't be surprised if he took inspiration from it in terms of visual flair - how the narrative covers the events will be curious, whether in the background (aka ROMA) and focusing on the impact on individuals one step removed. Looking forward to this one.

[@Nodnud10]

Quite simply the best film I have seen. Just screamed quality from the first to the final frame, perfect music, perfect script perfectly acted but above all wonderful to look at.

[@boxingmonkey2450]

Northern Ireland in the 70's and not one person smoking a cigarette throughout the entire film . . . yeah right Kenneth . . . .

[@sloneygrl4550]

Not one lady with her hair in rollers under a scarf all day...or someone hauling in coal for the fire (Belfast wasn’t tropical in the 60’s), plus the airport bus never picked you up at the end of your street. I suppose it is from a child’s perspective though

[@robynbriggs29]

i think the Jamie Dornan song was a little boy watching his parents dancing and mouthing the words to eachother and remembering it as a beautiful serenade ending weeks of discomfort and tension

[@moonloopfly]

Saw it the other night .. was expecting better .. the boy was great but the story was lacking .. something .. fell kinda flat somehow .. Very disappointed the casting team couldn’t find someone to play grandma from Northern Ireland with the proper Accent !! Judy Dench -for NI grandma !! Really .. what a missed opportunity for someone local to that area. She’d her best but you can tell if you are familiar with the Belfast accent she wasn’t really there. She’s so well used .. else where ... why trample on the toes of local talent??!! Gees

[@emilymcplugger]

I loved it but left in tears. It’s an amazing brilliant film and all the leads are amazing in it. Just fanastic.

[@maxjones503]

Loved seeing this. I'll have to see it again now that it's in wide release.

[@samson6176]

Who would not love this movie. Watched it by myself. Then with my kids. Second viewing actually made me tear up at the end. Good luck at the Oscars. But my vote is that this is the best movie i have seen last year. No doubt.

[@karlydoc]

Sam,stop being a wet blanket.

[@MsBoycie101]

There was definitely someone chopping onions in our screening too!

[@emmanuelsalazar9424]

This was utterly charming; loved it!

[@gailhill5734]

Going to see this tomorrow, cant wait

[@paulcready7093]

Their is nothing exceptional about it but the soundtrack is great & it’s charming. Their is nothing historically profound or visually interesting in it apart from the senses within the movie theatres. Their is no doubt it will win awards but it’s kind of undeserving.

[@aceofspades477]

I hoped for something stronger, but Belfast was a bit too bland for me.

[@davidmurray5926]

This is a wonderful film, a pure visual treat and unique.

[@karlydoc]

You have fallen for the old trick,if it's in black and white it's got to be good,not seen the film but will when its on sky or film4,

[@letmetellyalilstory9122]

@@karlydoc How are you in a position to be commenting on the film then?

[@paulcready7093]

Visually their is not much in it to sink you’re teeth into but it’s a charming little film.

[@greatpoochini1]

'Infinite shades of grey'? I thought 50 were enough for Jamie Dornan. Charming review lads.

[@PamelaKenyon]

Give it a rest 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@greatpoochini1]

In what sense?

[@GA-1st]

I have NO problem whatsoever with the use of B&W in contemporary film. But, I didn't like the shading palette chosen for this particular movie. The contrasts are lacking; it looks washed-out and flat like a TV advert. That said, I liked the movie, but it lacked the type of edge or emotional impact the subject-matter warranted or that Branagh intended. Good, entertaining, with some strong performances from an excellent ensemble cast, but by no means Oscar-worthy.

[@saurabhkumarjain7]

Yes, Belfast deserves to win Best Picture.

[@infinityinc1]

I feel like an alien seeing everyone love this film so hard. Maybe it's because I have no connection to the era or the music? But I just found it sickly sweet, unfocused and lacking in any sort of edge. Even the black and white, that people seem to think looks great I just found distancing?

[@JordanGrant92]

THANK YOU. I have no idea what it was trying to say; it was extremely muddy tonally and thematically. No one has an arc, nothing really happens. The sing/mime along toward the end feels so out of place. Love Brannagh and almost all the cast were great (Dench’s accent slipped a lot and the kid was awful, but the rest) but it was a watch once and done.

[@LegPuppy]

It was an ok film. A bit cringe in parts and I did the find the kid a bit annoying

[@Oliver-fu1go]

Mean wanted to like this film (and there were some interesting themes and sweet/sad moments) but overall I just thought everything was played too straight, just didn’t do anything interesting with its premise, I feel like his love of films never really played into the film despite it being a lot of the film those scenes just started and stopped, we don’t really get much change from the kid, I know he’s said this was like the incident that ended his childhood but I didn’t feel that grit to it (except for a couple scenes)

[@rorrt]

I watched it today. Apart from the god-awful projection (the 3rd quarter of the screen was a warm black and white, the rest of the screen was how it should have looked. A cold black and white.. Kind of ruined the picture to be honest) Beautiful film.. I too think it could win best picture and possibly best director..

[@Starkardur]

Finally someone mentioning Terrence Davies. I thought of that immediately when I saw the trailer but less high brow

[@danielquinlan326]

Absolutely loved this film. Yea it's not cutting edge but great performances. Ignore the grinche's and go and see it.

[@daveryding1168]

So did he like it or not?

[@tomashize]

Fell in love with the mum and dad. Just utterly beautiful couple that lived for each other. The Van Morrisson music was perfect

[@georgeclayton]

There's Van Morrison music in the film? That's a watch from me then

[@harrythorn149]

the sheer quality between this and the power of the dog, belfast just surely has to win the oscar

[@joeb5765]

It's not that bad but it's one of those films where if someone says they hate it, you know they can be trusted.

[@Metalguitarpete]

Really fantastic film. The scenes going to the cinema reminded me of Truffaut’s Les 400 Coups, the whole feel draws on French new wave and British kitchen sink classics. Cartiona Balfe is spellbinding!!! The only downside for me was Dame Judi’s very questionable accent.

[@bonnie43uk]

Saw it tonight in Swindon Cineworld.. my only disappointment was that the cinema wasn't packed, it deserves a big audience.. great movie. .. i guess we can blame the pandemic to a degree. Not sure what's going on with Cineworld in Swindon.. the auditorium was bloody cold.. maybe they're saving on heating costs. Go see this film !!

[@Oliver-fu1go]

Oh that cineworld is rubbish, real dive had a few friends work there and didn’t last long till they had to quit just unpleasant

[@mf289]

Hear there was a curious incident involving a dog in Swindon a few years back.

[@bonnie43uk]

@@mf289 Haha, there was indeed, they turned it into a hit West End play aswell, not sure if it ever made the big screen or a tv adaption.

[@chelseagirl924]

I see a lot of people complaining that the film wasn't their experience of the same place at the same time and all I can say is of course not no two people experience the same thing the same way. The director has contiuously said the film is seen through the eyes of a 9 year old, of course its idyllic it's supposed to be. Notice how none of the main characters have names other than what the boy calls them, Ma, Pa etc. I remember having to bring my blanket and pillow down to sleep in the living room because we had no money to heat the rest of the house as the greatest adventure ever...but it was actually dire need. Sitting by candle light telling stories was the best night of the week....but it was because my mother didn't have money for the electricity metre but as a 9 year old I didn't know that! If I made a film about my childhood from my perspective as a 9 year old it would be nostalgic and sweet making it through my 50 year old eyes it would be a sad and dire tale of poverty and neglect. I've only just seen the film and I don't believe it is a story of the Troubles, it is a story of a little boy coming to terms of how the Troubles affected his life. So saying " I was a *insert age* year old at the time and this isn't what it was like" isn't fair to the film or thw director, you were neither this him or his age you can't say how they experienced it.

[@vinnierussell9006]

Great film ..was thinking off the better Van Morrison tracks that weren’t included..me just being picky..but worth a second watch 😎

[@Dan-ce1oh]

Would be very disappointed if it won best picture over Power of the dog and Licorice Pizza tbh.

[@samf.s.7731]

Oh don't worry, Spiderman will win, and then certain people will jump off rooftops and stuff.

[@ayeshabrown4933]

Ehh liquorice pizza wasn’t good either

[@kitbrown3895]

ah yes liquorish pizza, zero plot, story consistency, character growth and not to mention the paedophilic age gap

[@yada7630]

Can you review asghar Farhadi's a hero?

[@pauloconnor5101]

I really never knew just how diverse Belfast was.

[@kermodeandmayo]

Well now you do en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigrant_communities_in_Northern_Ireland

[@DrOz-007]

So what was Mark's conclusion of the film? He barely reviewed it.

[@animasuzie]

Seems from the comments people from Belfast find it very lacking. But it’s not about Belfast really. It’s about childhood memories.

[@edd4875]

Went to see it last night. Was expecting good things but thought it was very overated. Thought it was a collection of scenes put together for style or sentiment. Also everything looked to clean!

[@123rockfan]

What’s wrong with sentiment?

[@grantwallace1882]

I really want to see this ........... and Batman.

[@nlpnt]

I've mentioned before that Belfast and Licorice Pizza, with a few minor tweaks, could be prequel and sequel.

[@morwennaforatenner604]

Ooh interesting, what tweaks would you make to link them up?

[@nlpnt]

@@morwennaforatenner604 Well, the protagonists don't match perfectly in age (I reckon Buddy's the same age as Gary Valentine's kid brother) but basically Buddy's family would have to go to L.A. instead of Liverpool and Gary's mom would be more like Ma in this movie.

[@Exparcelman]

I really enjoyed this film, far superior to the CGI, loud action fest stuff that’s everywhere …it’s also great to hear a bit of Van Morrison.

[@JettIRL]

Regarding the Dornan song scene, that's just literally what funeral/wakes are like here a lot of the time lol

[@r4h4al]

Loved it my new favourite film. Loved the personalness. Almost like the film Boyhood but set in 60's Ireland.

[@edwardschuster4962]

What's so "conflicting " about listening to Van Morrison now?

[@TheDarrentv]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oam7aKmGpKaZnJI Probably this. Robin Swann is the Health Minister in Northern Ireland.

[@animasuzie]

Because he’s anti vax and a grumpy old man. Which makes no difference to me. His music transcends his personal shortcomings ( giggle).

[@knownpleasures]

No way Mark Kermode’s brother is an ordinary cinema goer lol

[@davidb6681]

Fell asleep,something that should be a two part drama at 8pm Sunday night.

[@rebekahlascheit5837]

Loved the actors, l just was wondering expecting abit more from the story, ok film

[@garyhutton2654]

This guy knows absolutely all there is to know about movies , I Gona go watch in Ireland Monday working all weekend so off Mon and Tues

[@EubulusKane3259]

Should watch it first obviously, but I've got a sinking feeling that its just Roma in Ireland... Anyone else felt this?

[@ronanocallaghan]

It’s not in the same universe as Roma. It’s a fairly typical piece of British schmaltz with a light peppering of Belfastisms.

[@EubulusKane3259]

@@ronanocallaghan haha, felt that after seeing trailer. Wasn't blown away be Roma if I'm honest, though I love Cuaron.

[@ronanocallaghan]

Really? I must watch it again (Roma). I remember I found certain episodes less involving but overall I was blown away.

[@weewilliewagtail]

Love that he spends the start of the vid cooing over the correct form of address for "Sir Ken", before going on to reveal his assumption that pre-Troubles Belfast was an idyll...

[@juliaduncombe4383]

I thought it was 'twee'.

[@renata8979]

The cinematography and stellar cast elevate this movie, while the story I can best describe as "watered down". My two precise criticisms are: the opening scene with bland stock footage of present day Belfast looks weirdly "tapped on" and the final titles "to all who..." comes off a bit too dramatic for this particular movie, would probably be more fitting if it was something like Yann Demange's '71.

[@chrispen08]

I'm from Belfast, watched it last night. As someone who's left Belfast and misses it dearly, the final sequence perfectly summed up the movie and what it was trying to say. The shots at the begining were to emphasise the amount Belfast has moved one before the reminder of what it once was. I think it was a lovely tribute to my home city.

[@renata8979]

@@chrispen08 I have to respectfully disagree. The argument I am trying to make is not about “how everyone must feel”, but from a stylistic point of view: the movie heavily relies on making everything look as intimate (sometimes even “crammed”, not in a bad way) as possible and seen through a child’s eyes (not all the time, but most of the time, even physically camera is often somewhere at about child’s height), and 80% of it takes place in the confines of one street - it is the main gimmick. Now, a helicopter view of the whole city is as impersonal as it gets, and a special emphasis on the famous H&W cranes makes little sense because the family at the heart of the movie has no apparent connection to it. Besides it is the opening scene, not a closing one - in regards to your comment about the sense of progress being made. So I stand by my opinion that this is an odd bit in a highly stylised movie.

[@bane431-v8j]

Kenneth? Ken? Sir? None. Chuckles.

[@EuropeanMedia]

It is a brilliant film

[@stekelly9182]

I thought it was most self aware and a sense of self satisfaction emanated from every moment. He is really not to my taste

[@brendanlittle2498]

This movie is great.

[@65g4]

I loved the film but Mark was wrong didnt win best picture. He wasnt banking on the CODA sweep.

[@3dmotormaker]

why oh why is it in black and white ?

[@Solarstar10]

They literally explained why in the review, ya doofus. The real question is why are you so averse to something being in black and white?

[@felixplucker8450]

Ok that's talk about the Elephant in the room.....blacking up the cast...there was very few ..if any black police officers around Belfast in that time....

[@papermoon1]

The music was a poor choice for the film. Otherwise the tone and pace was wonderful.

[@philjones45]

Not impressed by Dame Judy's accent.

[@Narrativesofhopes]

The cinematography was good but the change to color during the scene in the theatre was not needed in my opinion, I understand why he changed to color in the cinema scene. What I do appreciate is the use of low-angle shots and the framing( windows and doors).

[@davidrea9898]

I do like him as an actor and director.......but as someone who grew up during the "Troubles" he is NOT telling the whole story i.e. the REASON for the troubles, is his, Kenneth's group (Prods), kept the Catholic population down as second class citizens (Animals), with limited Job opps, housing and voting rights. So they, the Catholics, rose up and disrupted the perfect community that Kenneth's people had created...That is what you see in this work of art......This is True...DR

[@slavestudios47]

>against the backdrop of The Troubles< every film with the shonky accents about Belfast has the same premise.. every time.. it's so tiring to see the same film from a slightly different angle over & over & over.. it's like theres nothing to Northern Ireland but murder & bombs.

[@jhjenn]

Is totally real because you celebrate at funerals especially after a number of hours.

[@andymoody8363]

Mawkishly sentimental formulaic, should have been much grittier. Too much Van Morrisson. Nice looking in places.

[@amyclarke41]

bless simon

[@thehumblegent]

Why the Van Morrison issue for Mr. Kermode? What’s Van the man to to irk him?

[@SJSpode114]

Seems he’s been a vocal anti-vaccine and Covid19 conspiracy supporter.

[@debbiewright8452]

He spoke out against restrictions

[@thehumblegent]

@@SJSpode114 Thank you, I thought it was that but thanks for clarifying. Peace and Love

[@thehumblegent]

@@debbiewright8452 Thank you for your reply, 👌🏾

[@VinylMonkey58]

I love the city of Belfast, having visited during the height of 'the troubles' and more recently. I absolutely love Van Morrison's music, and can identify well with the times and experiences of the main character as a working class lad born in 1958. However, I hated this film. I went expecting to enjoy it but found it corny, sugary, and really dull. I thought the black and white photography was poorly rendered adding to the flat, dull feel of the film, and I was irritated that such an important period and place in recent history was depicted so lightly and crassly. Some of the set piece scenes (e.g. Dad singing the Love Affair song, Dad and Billy showdown in the street) were truly awful. Not often I disagree with Mr Kermode, but....

[@johno4521]

It would have made more sense to have the LOW achievers sit at the front of the class, to receive the attention they clearly needed...

[@peterclarke7240]

Yeah... That's really not how the British education system is set up though. It's almost like some total bastard decided "well, we can't have EVERYONE doing well in school... They'd all want to get paid a fair wage! We can't have that... I'd have to pay more tax!" and designed the entire system around that premise. Oh wait, they actually did do exactly this. It's called the Class System.

[@ronanocallaghan]

@@margaretdoherty4842 ...not to mention the glaring implausibility of the wee girl (Catholic) and the wee boy (Protestant) going to the same primary school - even now that is a rarity as anybody from Northern Ireland knows too well.

[@willycumming1091]

It is a kid's vision of the bible thumping cleric. Whether real or not I certainly have childhood memories of the type.

[@paulsmith1981]

This film is a complete rewriting of history. Belfast was not teaming with immigrants in the late 1960s. I know this because I grew up in Belfast in the late sixties and through the 70s. This film is every bit as much a piece of political propaganda as any Pravda newsreel.

[@kermodeandmayo]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigrant_communities_in_Northern_Ireland

[@andrewwilson3471]

Hmmmm. Really wanted to like it. Thought the first 5 minutes was great and there was promise. Everything setup then we had the ministers speech. Great. After that, fell very flat. The finale of the sectarian story was silly. The Christmas Day scene was silly. The funeral scene was strange. . The use of Van Morrison wasn’t clever, literally, ‘we haven’t used Van Morrison in 10 minutes, put a track on’. Central family, characters flimsy (acting a different story). Only characters of real interest were the grandparents.

[@johno4521]

They didn't get the period vehicles quite right either. They were either too old or too new for 1969...

[@stevenvo1999]

Interested to see if the British and Irish will love Belfast more than the US critics and US Film Twitter, who mostly perceive this film to be good but safe crowd-pleasing Oscar bait that is undeserving of Best Picture. At least compared to films like The Power of the Dog, The Tragedy of Macbeth, or even Dune. By the way, I can’t speak to the film myself because it’s not out here in Australia until February 3.

[@themovieguysam2590]

This should interest me but it genuinely looks SO bland imo. I’m sure it’ll be enjoyable though, I’ll still check it out at some point

[@davidmurray5926]

It’s not bland, it’s wonderful. A visual treat.

[@nickpellatt]

I watched it about an hour ago, just described it to a family member as being great, but missing something. You post just told me what that is ... there is a blandness to it (for me anyway).

[@MoleyRusselsWart_]

@@nickpellatt Bland is a perfect word.

[@davidpaterson5331]

I really wanted to enjoy this film 😔

[@fabiesque]

I loved the movie but oddly enough I am not "crazy" about it like for movies like "Roma" or "Parasite". I did not get "stabbed in my guts" if I may put it this way. But it's certainly gorgeously shots, the acting is breath-taking, the vibes, the atmosphere... And theat boy is absolutely mesmerizing.

[@markbirt8224]

I came out of the film disappointed. I found the writing to be poor, the direction was grating, too many jaunty angles and moody skies and I just didn’t find Jude Hill convincing.

[@stupididiot6993]

Thank you. Practically the entire movies is expository dialogue delivered completely unnatural, and Kenneth Branagh has no idea how to write children. The young girl is like 16 years old and thinks that she’s in a gang? The entire thing was completely unbelievable. Practically every beat at the end was completely absurd

[@sloneygrl4550]

Sorry - you are incorrect. I’m Branaghs age and was born in Belfast. Young boys and girls were in gangs at that age and all the accents were fine. In fact, Dench’s was very good.

[@stupididiot6993]

@@sloneygrl4550 I’m from Boston, that doesn’t mean I’m able to tell other people that they’re “incorrect” about their opinion of Mystic River or Good Will Hunting

[@williamwallace4924]

Let’s just say a British isles movie, hope that answers your question.

[@qwargy]

Good film marred by inaccurate insertions of diverse characters for the sake of funding

[@flamingocupproductions5329]

I’m a grinch

[@rogue2818]

Not a great film, but people will like it as it’s “fashionable” to do so