Review of In the Name of the Father (1993) by William S — 13 Dec 2013
An Irish biographical drama about the Guilford Four; a group of four Irish civilians wrongly convicted by the British government of an IRA bombing that killed five people in a British pub in 1974. Based on a true story told in the book "Proved Innocent," Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) is arrested after the bombing and is forced to sign a false confession after being tortured during interrogation.
His father Giuseppe (Pete Postelthwaite) is also charged as an accomplice and jailed. This is a powerful drama that resonates with great moral complexities at the ways in which an injustice can occur as the result of political pressure under the guise of security.
Imprisoned together, the estranged relationship between the father and son is the center of the story. At first, Gerry is a petty thief who resents his father's overbearing nature but he gradually evolves into a crusader.
There are inaccuracies that are problematic. Although the imprisonment of father and son together made the material more dramatic, in real-life they were separated. Its also a bit redundant to have another portrayal involving the British suppression of the Irish.
Still, this is emotionally stirring material and the ending is effectively cathartic. Daniel Day-Lewis - speaking with a thick Irish brogue - gives a powerful performance with the dynamism of a young De Niro.
Postlethwaite is quietly brilliant as he matches Day-Lewis. Written by Jim Sheridan and Terry George and directed by Sheridan. With Emma Thompson as the defense attorney who retries the case; John Lynch, Corin Redgrave, Beatie Edney, Tom Wilkinson.
This review of In the Name of the Father (1993) was written by William S on 13 Dec 2013.
In the Name of the Father has generally received very positive reviews.
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