Review of Route Irish (2011) by Peter P — 10 Jan 2013

Anti-war drama from Ken Loach about private military contractor Fergus (Mark Womack) whose best friend and fellow merc Frankie (played interestingly enough by comedian John Bishop) is killed in action in Iraq.

Suspecting Frankie was killed by his own as part of a cover-up, Fergus begins an intense investigation and soon begins to lose himself. It's an engaging drama with strong performances that fearlessly addresses some of the more sensitive realities of the war in Iraq but at the same time is incredibly bleak and joyless - appropriate, sure, but the lack of levity or even small speck of hope doesn't make it an easy film to sit through.

Also, the relentless swearing, as realistic as it is, does grow tiresome after a while.