Belfast (2021)

Belfast (2021)

A gorgeous and well-performed family drama set in Belfast during The Troubles

The Very Best

8.1

Movie

United Kingdom
English, Portuguese
Drama, History
2021
KENNETH BRANAGH
Bríd Brennan, Caitriona Balfe, Chris McCurry
98 min

What it's about

Buddy is a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, whose life is filled with familial love, childhood hijinks, and a blossoming romance. Yet, with his beloved hometown caught up in increasing turmoil, his family faces a momentous choice: hope the conflict will pass or leave everything they know behind for a new life.

The take

Belfast stars Outlander’s Caitríona Balfe as the mother of a working-class Northern Irish family during The Troubles. Religious tension and the lack of opportunities put the family in a difficult position: they're the first in many generations to think about leaving the city of Belfast. They all have to navigate so many difficult questions on belonging, religion, and identity.

The story,  based on the director’s own childhood, is packaged in a noise-canceling black and white format. Also stars Judi Dench.

Comments

Overrated at everyturn.

Add a comment

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

The Guilty (2018)

A minimalist, razor-sharp thriller that will have you gasping for air.

9.0

System Crasher (2019)

A tale of trauma and one of the most talked about movies on Netflix in 2020.

9.0

The Traitor (2020)

An unglorifying character study of the first high-profile Mafia informant

7.7

Listen (2020)

A heartbreaking portrayal of a struggling immigrant family of a child with disability

7.0

Fire of Love (2022)

A gorgeous deep dive into the explosive love story between two scientists and their craft

8.4

Forgotten Love (2023)

The stunning third take of the classic Polish pre-war melodrama

7.7

Testament of Youth (2014)

A lovely, though fairly standard, memoir adaptation of the famous British pacifist

6.9

Hilary and Jackie (1998)

Two sisters, bound by music, is torn by genius and fame in this tragic, heartwrenching biopic

7.6

The Breaking Ice (2023)

Three lost souls find a warm connection in this wintry, delicate drama

7.0

Breaking the Waves (1996)

Lars von Trier breaks his rules in the tearjerking first film of the Golden Heart trilogy

8.1

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw logo

© 2024 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.