BELFAST REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Kenneth Branagh has had a successful career both as an actor and director. As the former, he’s become known for his roles including Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, detective Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express and the villainous Andrei Sator in Christopher Nolan’s epic action packed thriller, Tenet. Behind the camera, Branagh has also impressed with his directing skills with films such as Murder on the Orient Express, Thor, Cinderella, Hamlet and Henry V. However, while most of his directorial works have been adapted from comic books, fairy tales and plays, with his latest film, Belfast, Branagh has created his most personal film yet as it chronicles the life of a working class Northern Irish Protestant family from the perspective of their 9-year-old son Buddy (Jude Hill) during The Troubles in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The opening sequence begins in colour and explores modern day Belfast with shots of their most famous landmarks. The film soon makes the transition to black and white as the setting moves to a street with text revealing the year as 1969. The scene is peaceful and is filled with people going about their normal lives, including Buddy, who is on his way home. The tone of the scene quickly changes and becomes chaotic when a group of Protestants stage a riot on Buddy’s street, attacking homes to intimidate the local Catholics. It’s an effective way to open the film as, like the characters, we are fearful. While his childhood was from perfect, Branagh still has fond memories of growing up in Belfast, including seeing his grandparents who are both endearingly portrayed by Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds, and trips to the cinema where he watches films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Belfast clearly means a lot to Branagh as he relies on his memories from his childhood to provide viewers with an insightful drama. I think the film will also be meaningful to those who, like Branagh, grew up in Belfast.

One of the most impressive aspects of Belfast, aside from Branagh’s writing and directing, is the acting by the talented cast. Dench, who has worked with Branagh on many of his films, is perfectly witty as Buddy’s grandmother. Alongside her, Hinds is equally as impressive as her husband and Buddy’s grandfather. Belfast is at its most heartwarming when it’s focusing on Buddy and the close bond he has with his grandparents. As Buddy’s parents, Caitriona Balfe and Jamie Dornan deliver strong performances, with the former constantly worrying about the latter who frequently travels to England for work. Although Buddy’s mother wants to remain in Belfast, his father believes a move to England would provide their children with safety away from the riots. While the talented cast each impress with their performances, it’s Jude Hill who stands out with his portrayal as Buddy, who makes for a charming main character. Because most of the film is told from his perspective, it was always going to be a challenge for Hill to deliver a convincing performance, however, he succeeds and delivers one of the best child performances.

Although Belfast doesn’t shy away from capturing the riots and conflict between the Protestants and Catholics, it’s never too serious and is filled many lighthearted scenes that are simply created to make the audiences smile, including when Buddy visits his grandparents, trips to the cinema and when he forms a crush on a classmate, Catherine (Olive Tennant). However, because she’s Catholic and he’s Protestant, Buddy is worried that they can’t be together, however, his father says that it shouldn’t make any difference. 

While the majority of Belfast is shot in black and white, Branagh uses colour when Buddy visits the cinema with his family and watches Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which is shown in colour. It’s easy to see that Branagh’s love for film began when he visited the cinema as a child. 

Since its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in September last year, Belfast has been well received by critics who praised Branagh’s writing and directing skills and the powerful performances by the cast. Because of its impressive positive critical reception, my expectations were high for Belfast, and, fortunately, it didn’t disappoint. Because it’s being released during Oscar season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Belfast is recognised by the Academy as it’s the type of film that gets nominated and that’s one that features outstanding work from both the actors and writer and director, Kenneth Branagh. I think that it’s most likely to be nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

With Belfast, writer/director Kenneth Branagh has created his most meaningful and personal film and provides viewers with an insight into his childhood.

8/10