Wick's Review

Summary - OK 2.5

A story of brothers ripped apart by revolution should be better than the formulaic The Wind That Shakes the Barley. Cloaked in the emerald charm of Ireland, yet curiously unengaging, it’s more socialist screed about the Irish republican revolution than ripping good yarn.

The Irish revolution deserves a great movie. This ain’t it.

“At various points, the accents are so thick that it becomes problematic to hear every word, although it’s not hard to surmise the intent in most of those cases.” BigD correctly points out that not understanding every word ain’t the problem.

Acting - Good 3.0

Cillian Murphy distinguishes himself as an effete revolutionary. The rest of the cast, not so much.

Film - OK 2.5

British socialist Ken Loach apparently takes grim satisfaction directing a film that is more screed than satisfying story. From each according to his ability, or his worldview, in this case.

Edge - Risqué 2.2

Fingernails get ripped out. ’nuff said.

Reality - Glib 1.1

Political revolutions so often end up savaging themselves. The movie suggests the Irish Revolution became a pale green echo of the previous century’s French Revolution. Thus the continuing wonder at the healthy American Revolution. Exceptional indeed.

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