by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What was the last film that perfectly captured the soul of a city? There have been plenty of films about New York City (thank you Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese) that have just channeled the wonder and uniqueness of “the City.” Rocky was able to do this with the city of Philadelphia, and Philly folk still worship that fictional boxer all these years later. It takes a special kind of film and a special kind of filming to transcend and create such a feeling. 2021 brings one such film that captures the energy and passion of one city in northern Ireland: Belfast.
What about writer-director Kenneth Branagh’s autobiographical film makes it so special in the way that it presents the city? From the opening sequence, there is a passionate gaze that is put upon this place. With a perfectly chosen Van Morrison track (which is just part of a great slate of Morrison songs chosen as the soundtrack), the camera flies high above modern day Belfast to paint a picture its unique nature. One perfect transition from a billboard tilting up into a (now) black and white playground transports us to a specific time… August 15, 1969. From there, Branagh’s film is in striking black and white, which creates a beautiful classic feel. The camera work is intimate and engrossing as subtle movements take the audience through windows into other conversations. This helps contribute to the feel that we’re seeing one interlocking community of people who care about each other.
How does Branagh capture the personal nature of his film? You can feel the passion for many things that permeate throughout. One such passion is for film itself. Sharp and well-framed closeups capture the twinkle in Buddy’s (our surrogate for Branagh, played by Jude Hill) eye. It is so endearing and loving whenever he is taking in a film. Whether he is watching High Noon on the television, or his family is watching a flying car in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, there is a sense of wonder and love. There are plenty of moments that also capture the love and affection that exists between the members of Buddy’s family. One beautiful moment occurs where Pa (Jamie Dornan) sings to Ma (Caitriona Balfe) during a band performance. Their coordinated movements and magnetic connection pops off the screen. You can tell each member of Buddy’s family loves each other, and that was so important to his upbringing.
Besides a love letter to the city, what else is conveyed through Branagh’s quality screenplay? First off, this is a surprisingly hilarious film. Almost every character has their moment to shine with genuine and snarky comments which bring plenty of laughs from my packed theater. The screenplay also does a great job of balancing tones from a whimsical and sweet coming-of-age story to an intense and impacted thriller centered around the riots that brought plenty of danger to the streets of Belfast. The way car bombings and riots are framed are intense and frightening, which is easily conveyed through the naïve perspective of our protagonist. This film is also densely rich in the thematic department as we are treated to meaningful and poignant perspectives on family, duty, community, and acceptance.
But what really brings this beautiful drama to life? This cast, from the main actors to random members of the community. Jude Hill is a revelation as Buddy. He is sweet and charming, conveying the wonder of a young boy effortlessly. The real MVP of the film is Outlander actress, Balfe. She is powerful and controls the screen at every moment. She portrays Ma with strength with a subtle sense of vulnerability. She has a few standout moments throughout the film, including one where she channels the protective and powerful presence of a mother. Jamie Dornan gives a charming and sensitive performance as Pa, which will help the audience completely forget about Fifty Shades of Grey. The sassy and charming performances of Buddy’s grandparents, played by Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds, are the icing on the cake. They bring a special type of charm that will be hard to forget (especially Hinds).
What a special kind of film Belfast is! Branagh brings his childhood to life in a magical and engaging way. This is the feel-good film of the season that never falls into saccharine cliches. It gives a mostly happy ending that is still able to convey the complexity of the harsh reality of Protestant and Catholic tensions in the city. This is a beautifully cinematic experience, as an incredibly charming and thematically dense screenplay is vividly rendered for the audience’s enjoyment. Don’t miss out on what might be the best film of 2021.
Grade: A+
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