A semi-autobiographical film which
chronicles the life of a working class family and their young son's childhood
during the tumult of the late 1960s in the Northern Ireland capital.
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie
Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, Jude Hill
Release Date: November 12, 2021
Genre: Drama
Rated PG-13 for some violence and strong
language
Runtime: 1h 38m
Review:
Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast is a heartfelt rose colored spat of nostalgia that’s
touching and occasionally harrowing.
Branagh wrote and directed the film which feels incredibly personal from
the start, it’s a more ground approach from the renown director. The black and white approach echoes Alfonso
Cuaron’s Roma which ran the same semibiographical gamut from a different part
of the world. This film balances the
heartwarming memories with sparks of real world violence which permeated the
era. Jude Hill is one of those rare
child actors that carries an air of authenticity. He’s the lynch pin of the entire film which
is peppered with award worthy performances from its supporting. Caitríona Balfe and Jamie Dornan almost make
you forget that best looking working class couple ever with sincere
performances that are grounded and not overly showy. Balfe in particular delivers the kind of
performance that feels universally recognizable no matter where you are
from. Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench play
doting grandparents with Hinds being the film’s secret weapon. Hinds steals every scene he’s in with a
singular turn which should garner some awards consideration. Belfast is the type of film that tugs at your heart strings
in the best way possible, it’s uplifting and harrowing as it captures a moment
in time that feels relatable regardless of where you are from.
A
