Review of Some Mother's Son (1996) by Emily B — 02 Sep 2005

This was a very touching movie. I really enjoyed it in the sense that it really opens your eyes and the actors were very talented.

Kathleen Quigley (Helen Mirren) leads a normal life until her son, Gerard (Aidan Gillen) is arrested because he is involved with the IRA (Irish Repulbican Army). He is sent to prison along with countless other men and treated like a criminal for fighting for his countries rights. Kathleen's world is turned upside down and she finds her self grabbing onto Annie Higgins (Fionnula Flanagan), the mother of another imprisoned IRA fighter. When the boys go on hunger strike the mothers must decide to go agianst their son's beliefs to save their sons or let them die. Based on true events.

Everyone's performance was great in this film but Fionnula Flanagan (Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, Four Brothers) always stands out in her roles. She is just an amazing actress and still so beautiful at 64. I didn't think that I could dislike Aidan's Gillen's voice anymore but I was wrong. Not only was he unattractive in this role, his voice! And when ever he was in the background he had his mouth hanging open with this vaacant brain dead look on his face. Not attractive. He looked like his face was numb and he had no control of facial exspression.

IRA attacks are still going on in Ireland today. Both the rebels and soldiers are being killed. Gerard says to Kathleen after killing a soldier, "He was just a soldier Ma." and Kathleen replies "He was some mother's son, just like you're mine." That was a very powerful line and that is what the movie is about. It didn't matter what side that the mothers were on the still lost a son.