Review of '71 (2014) by Kenr — 20 Oct 2019

French Born director Yann Demange, has created as intense a drama as could be expected within a documentary style movie - etched out of a real life and death situation from the pathetic streets of civil war-torn Belfast.

The ridiculously contemptuous hatred of religiously opposed inhabitants – living at close quarters of each other – shows human foolishness at its gut wrenching ugliest. Demange’s intelligent direction and refusal to over exaggerate, combined with Scottish writer, Gregory Burke’s angst-ridden, believable script, ensures each nerve wracking situation propels the viewer on a breathlessly desperate journey of survival.

At times it’s difficult to keep up with the double and triple crosses (including inept mistakes) as each party pits itself against its assumed enemy. At the end of time all are reduced, without quarter, to fools of the saddest most ignorant order.

Performances are of the highest order, and Tat Radcliffe’s photography combines handheld camera shots that don’t make the viewer feel nauseous, David Holmes pensive music score moves believably within the action.

While laced with coarse language and violence its recommended for adults who admire thoughtful, hardnosed, true to life drama that tells it as it is - without dim-witted embellishments. It also thankfully, does not outstay its welcome.