Review of Michael Collins (1996) by Justin Y — 11 Dec 2009

So, first take The Godfather, add some In the Name of the Father and round it all out with just a pinch of Braveheart (just enough to get that "tragic historical figure fighting the crown for independence" flavor).

If that doesn't perk your ears and pique your interest then how about a cast headed by Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Aidan Quinn, Julia Roberts and featuring small but not un-noteworthy turns by Brendan Gleeson, Stephen Rea and Jonathan Rhys Meyers? Now, let me go back a bit; it's not as good as The Godfather, but then nothing really is.

However, it is still a damn fine film and I had simply meant to say that it clearly has borrowed influences and notes lifted direct from Coppola's opus. So what are some of the downsides? Well firstly, it's not a history lesson but when it comes to filmmaking Michael Collins is about as close to accurate as we can really expect from our entertainment.

The errors here are mostly minor anachronisms but annoying in that they would have been an easy fix (a wristwatch before they were commonly available to non-fighter pilots, a ship a decade too early, an incorrect rank on an officers uniform etc).

The weakest moments are those with Julia Roberts whose character mostly seems written in as a way to break up the politics and warfare; and of course because when you have Aidan Quinn you need an actress to give him a "I love you but love him more" (hey, Legends of the Fall how's it going?).

There are a couple of high tension scenes wherein her accent annoyingly comes and goes. Perhaps, I was just hard on her because Mary-Louise Parker was set to play the role (and I rarely forgive anybody who beats her to a part).

All in all, Michael Collins is an excellent, enjoyable and highly recommended film.