Review of Titanic Town (1998) by Palki G — 31 May 2005

Best in Show: Julie Walters.

One for the future: Nuala O'Neill.

Stand-out scene: The ride to the IRA HQ.

Brainer or no-brainer: Brainer.

Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: Repeated.

DVD commentary any good?: n/a.

TV.

Notting Hill director Roger Michell made this immediately before his Richard Curtis collaboration and while it's not fantastic there's much to praise about this Belfast-set movie. Movies set on Irish soil during 'the troubles' follow a pattern that is set in stone and this is no exception, but it's Julie Walter's characterisation of a neutral mother who just wants peace for her kids that ensures that this rises above the flotsam and jetsam. This is worth watching for her performance alone, the comic touches that come when she tells her daughter to make the beds before her house is searched by British troops and makes conversation by asking the driver of a car taking her to the IRA HQ whether he is from Cork are priceless. The "plastic paddy" accusations regarding this movie I have issues with; Walters is from Irish stock and is clearly drawing on her own experiences of her mother and grandma in her performance. Walters is Bernie McPhelimy, who arrives in a new part of Belfast with her family and speaks out about the danger on the streets threatening the well-being of her kith and kin. That danger comes from both the British troops and the IRA and the outspoken housewife soon becomes used as a political pawn by both sides. As a study in humanity in the most trying of situations this is perfectly pitched, mostly thanks to the towering presence of Julie Walters whose ability to blend comedy and tragedy is peerless.