No. 6 (2022) BELFAST Jan. 20th.

 

Film No. 6  (2022)  January 20th.  6:30 PM  EVENT CINEMAS, Cinema 9  Innaloo.

"If they can't understand ya son, then they're not listenin'" (Buddy's grand da sets him straight on language and accents, when being understood universally).

I'm surprised to read the negativity aimed at BELFAST from some critics. Their "beef" is, they believe Branagh should have made more of a political statement about a dark time, a time of civil war in Northern Ireland during 1969. To my eye Branagh has created a real balance of themes, remembering we are viewing this era through the eyes of a nine year old. While it's not new for a film-maker to reflect on their childhood, what is unique here is the intimacy and laugh out loud humour we feel through the eyes of Buddy (Jude Hill).

BELFAST is full of tender moments. Branagh is quite obviously brimming with pride for the love he shared with his working class family. The six months we spend with Jude (Buddy's cousin), Ma (Caitriona Balfe), brother Will (Lewis McAskie), Pa (Jamie Dornan), Pop (Ciaran Hinds) and Granny (Judy Dench) is time enough for us to be invested in a loyal family adjusting to the changing times. They never give up on fairness, loyalty and love for one another as foundations for a good life. The script, particularly Buddy's observations through innocent eyes, has the audience chuckling throughout.

While the film is not driven by plot, there are plenty of tense moments that build to a final climax. We know that Branagh is a London based artist, so it's no secret the climax relates to his exit from Belfast. But the tender moments with his aging (ailing for Pop) grandparents and the financial and sometimes explosive tensions between Ma and Pa, plus the civil disruptions help build to the final and tenderest moment of all.

"I happily embrace the fact that this is a defining part of who I am, and that finding that way to go back home again was important’.” Branagh speaks here about finding a way to revisit this past, a past that means so much to him. BELFAST is the love-letter he always promised himself. Thank you Sir Kenneth; I think if you don't win an Oscar for best picture you'll run a close second. 11GUMS.