Review of Michael Collins (1996) by Kevin B — 28 Dec 2007

Well I'm bias to this film, I stand up&admit it, but Micheal Collins is a legend and a story so v.worthy of a film. In truth I love this film, could watch it over and over again... The song "She Moved through the Fair" that closes the film, as Kitty Kiernan waits for Micheal to arrive to be married is heartbreaking, tragic, especially in light of all he had done for Ireland.

I live in West Cork and this history is amazing to me... The films amazing too, it'll give u a real sense of understanding.. I wouldn't rate against the film for all those reasons, however I will say that in honesty, Julia Roberts was not the right choice for Kitty Kiernan, frankly out of her depth for such drama, and the other complaint is, that they tended to romanticise Kitty and Micheal's relationship way too much, if you read the letters they actually wrote to one another during those turbulent times, you would have a better sense of that relationship, as opposed to that which is portrayed in the film.

I got a feeling the director maybe indulged himself a bit there, after all every freedom fighter (braveheart etc) needs a perfect romantic undertone, or at least they think it does?? Not for me, a bit of reality would have done just fine.

.. Thats Hollywood casting history for ya!!