Review of '71 (2014) by Foxgrove — 08 Mar 2015
The troubles in Ireland have already been well documented in films like 'In the Name of the Father' and 'Bloody Sunday', so as '71' opens a kind of lethargy overcomes one due to the familiarity of the subject matter. However, the film soon kicks down these seen it all before expectations via fine acting, edge of seat tension and sheer cinematic technique.
Fast rising young actor Jack O'Connell plays a soldier who finds his life in danger whilst trapped in enemy territory on the streets of Belfast. His desperate efforts to get himself back to the safety of the barracks becomes the basic story trajectory. From the moment his character is left behind to fend for himself the film becomes an adrenalin rush of heart pounding tension. Brilliant hand held camera movements act like another character one moment and in the next becomes symbiotic of the chaos and craziness of everything taking place. The film is extremely violent and bloody and is edited for maximum effect. The cumulative result leaves one feeling totally drained.
In another great performance, which is only a few notches down from the one he gave in 'Starred Up', Jack O'Connell is again completely believable playing yet another man dealing with extraordinary circumstances. Sean Harris, here the face of corruption, is also as good as always.
Like the opening scenes the closing ones disappoint as, again, the all too familiar scenarios are predictably played out. If you top and tail this movie and just enjoy the filling it is very powerful film making indeed.
This review of '71 (2014) was written by Foxgrove on 08 Mar 2015.
'71 has generally received very positive reviews.
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