Review of The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006) by Ryan M — 03 Sep 2010

8.2/10.

?The Wind That Shakes the Barley? is without a doubt quality indie filmmaking. It is one of the single most compelling independent films I?ve ever seen, even if it is not quite perfect. First off, it had some pretty major selling points. Those selling points were 1.Cillian Murphy and 2.Beautiful Cinematography. I pretty much knew how great the film was going to be. I expected to be entertained and thus WAS very entertained. This is a very serious film. It requires both your attention and your ever so precious time. It is not a film which is graphic in its depictions or particularly legendary in its telling. ?The Wind That Shakes the Barley? doesn?t feel like it wants to be terribly special at all. But whether it likes it or not, it is sort of special (amongst the many other indie films out there). I liked it a lot for what it was. It is indeed a gorgeously shot, strongly acted, and effectively told period piece. And that?s why it works so well. To many, it will appear as a very bleak film, because that is what it is. It?s not meant to be a ?fun? or particularly easy sit through. Well, that is unless you?re expecting this film to be what it is: Powerful and compelling. Otherwise, it may not be accessible to all watchers. I?m not saying that the film is made for a specific audience, but it doesn?t have the multi-generation appeal of certain films. Bottom line: It?s for adults. And by that I probably mean, only adults (but then again I?m not an adult, but I sure as hell liked the movie). Take it as you will. Or don?t take it at all. I don?t really mind. But if you miss out at all, then just know that you?re missing out on a pretty good time. Or maybe not (if you think the film is bleak and depressing). No matter, I enjoyed myself. Although I don?t expect you to feel the same. Because I expect you, the reader, to not enjoy a good ol? depressing period piece. But if I?m wrong, then feel free to ignore me and just see the darn movie. I believe that you will find at least one thing about it worth looking in to. And that will probably be either Cillian Murphy or the Cinematography. Or if you?re like me, maybe it will be both things that intrigue you. Nevertheless, ?The Wind That Shakes the Barley? is essentially existent to make you depressed through all the compelling visual awesomeness and the non-stop gloomy nature of the film?s heroes. It?s not off-putting. As a matter of fact, it?s quite beautiful.

Don?t we all love a good period piece? Well, I guess I do. I know so because I essentially enjoyed the hell out of ?The Wind That Shakes the Barley?. Put aside all the genuine bleakness and the non-stop depressing heroes, it?s a pretty engaging film none the less. It tells a story which takes place between the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. Two brothers Damien (Murphy) and Teddy join the struggle for independence in the United Kingdom. Teddy is already commander of the flying column for the Irish Republican Army, although Damien is a former doctor who wants to fight as well. After witnessing the brutal death of one of his fellow comrades, Damien decides to round up all of his friends and officially join the fight for independence. From then on, the party scouts the mountains for enemy soldiers and fight consistently to gain their own independence. I do not wish to spoil the more important plot twists and/or aspects, so I?ll stop with the spoilers right now. This is indeed a powerful experience. It is not perfect, but it is without a doubt entertaining. It is another one of those films which has no time for humor or happiness. All it has is bleakness and depressing characters. I actually like the film more and more as it gets more depressing, to be perfectly honest. This is a film which absolutely needs to be dead serious in order to its point across. Despite how off-putting they may be, the characters are as interesting as the story. Each one has their own morals, and they all seem to have a solid purpose in the film?s story. Unlike your typical gun-slinging Irishman, these are some pretty important blokes.

Cillian Murphy never fails to amaze me. While I?d like to say this every time I see Murphy in a movie to begin with, I?m going to say anyways that his performance in this film is undoubtfully one of his bests. He can typically portray an important and genuinely powerful individual, and here he does what he?s capable of and more. ?28 Days Later? made me love him, and now I have faith that he?s just an all around great actor. Although that doesn?t save him from failure. Which like most actors, could indeed come his way. Pádraic Delaney also does a very satisfying job as Cillian?s character?s brother Teddy. He is an actor with solid emotions and believable ones too. He can elicit humanity without effort. It?s that simple. And that?s why I love the fact that he?s so darn good. Good ol? Liam Cunningham pitches in as well to add a little genuine fun to the likable bleakness that is ?The Wind That Shakes the Barley?. There are also a good number of great cameos, some of which include V for Vendetta?s Roger Allam and Mary Murphy. Good combo!

?The Wind That Shakes the Barley? is chock full of masterful visual spectacle. First off, EVERYTHING measures up to the cinematography being effective. The shots are beautiful and the scenery sure helps a whole lot. The lush mountains and wonderful video quality make up for something that may just be one of the most visually satisfying indie flicks ever made. On a completely different artistic note, the music in this film is also fairly good. It?s not as beautiful and stunning as the visuals are, but what the hell. It?s effective all around (on an artistic level). On an emotional level, not so much. I don?t get it. This film just didn?t pack the emotional punch that it needed. Not that the fact that it lacked that very emotional punch made it any less awesome, but it made it a little more imperfect. Plus, I cannot see myself calling this film perfect. I don?t like saying that lightly. But I know in my heart that due to the lack of emotional impact as well as a complete disregard for wide appeal, ?The Wind That Shakes the Barley? simply is not for everyone. It is a very bleak film. It will not entertain just everyone. But you know what, I liked it. And for me personally, that?s all that really matters. Like I said before, take it as you will. Just don?t expect any sort of humor scattered about to keep you from focusing on the potential bloodshed that could indeed be waiting.

This is a beautiful film. I like the approach that Ken Loach took when making the film. He crafted it well enough, even if the film isn?t a complete masterpiece. It?s none the less a very fine piece of indie filmmaking. And that?s good enough for me, at this point. I mean, who doesn?t like something that?s so bleak that it?s good? Who doesn?t love a film where a has-been infected hunter is instead fighting for his Irish independence? Are you in? Well, that?s irrelevant for me to ask that. I can?t recommend this film to you unless you really want to see it. I liked it, but you may not. There?s no humor; no happiness. Nothing but the struggle for independence and awesome dialogue to keep us all entertained. Again, it?s good enough for me, given the fact that this is MUCH better than most indie films out there. Perhaps it is not as unique as some, but even the more unique ones cannot match the unstoppable power of ?The Wind That Shakes the Barley?. For the third time I?ll say: Take it as you will. That?s the best (and possibly only) thing to do in this situation. Don?t fight it. Don?t necessarily avoid it. But it?s at least worth a chance. It?s not a whole lot more ingenious than most acclaimed period pieces, but come on. It?s a PERIOD PIECE. By all means, it should be good. And in this case it is. Well directed, well written, well acted, well shot. Ultimately, it is a feast for the eyes and the ears alike.