71 (2014, Dir. Yann Demange, UK) (Cert: 15/TBC) *** Starring Jack OConnell, Charlie Murphy, Richard Dormer Gary Hook (OConnell) is a soldier fresh out of training in 1971 and looking for a deployment to Germany. However, rising tensions around Belfast force Gary to be deployed instead to Northern Ireland. Whilst out patrolling Republican territory, the soldiers are met with protesting locals, culminating in Gary running for his life. Following his escape, Gary must find his way back to the barracks, deep within enemy territory. Although this film was set over forty years ago, the simple idea that this a film against the backdrop of The Troubles in Northern Ireland still gives 71 a sense of edge and danger. What the makers of 71 have done is given us a film from an earlier time, but removed the safety that the passage of time gives us. 71 is, at points, a very harsh and brutal film. The film stars Jack OConnell as a young soldier stationed in Belfast and OConnell provides an interesting presence. Hes an actor with a flair for expression, but his dialogue in the film is fairly sparse and he exudes a sort of everyman persona. He is the surrogate for the audience and given the rather straight-forward nature of the plot, this heightens the experience and tension. At the films best, you can almost feel youre in the thick of the action, aided by some strong and interesting choices in the direction of Yann Demange. Rare is a man that can take one of my pet hates in the movies (shaky-cam) and actually make it work. The downsides to 71 mostly manifest in how the film deals with a day-to-day depiction of The Troubles. Not so much from a perspective of historical accuracy (of which, Im no expert) but in how its presented to the audience. Whatever the realities of the situation were, the sheer level of action thrown at the audience is high, even if its a true representation. On the one hand, it does a good job of selling just how dangerous an environment the setting is. On the other, those looking for a wider understanding of The Troubles rather than an action movie, may be disappointed. The film also appears to be on just the one side of an argument that to this day, divides communities. The resolution (which is under-explained to say the least) resolves much of this inequity, but many who disagree with the films central viewpoint will be likely to be around by that point. 71 presents itself as a serious film and I dont really doubt the sincerity of its intentions and far be it for me to be overly-moralistic in how The Troubles are portrayed. As a thriller, this is a very effective and well-made film of sometimes heart-pounding levels of tension and when it sticks to that, 71 works very well. Just be sure that thats the film you want to see, because theres little else of interest within the film.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:11:31 +0000
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