Shadow of violence

First off the performance of Cosmo Jarvis is the stand out in this movie. He has a feel of Tom Hardy about him and I'd tip him for big things in the future.

I was a bit worried going in that there might be a language barrier as the Irish accent can get a bit thick but it wasn't a problem for me.

The story is pretty standard, a crime family taking retribution on a local miscreant but transplanting it from the streets of New York or LA to rural Ireland gives the movie a wild west feel. My only criticism is the ending is a little predictable, in fact all but inevitable. I would have liked to have had my expectations subverted in that respect.

This is a must watch for anyone. It has everything, it triggers every emotion. It is a brilliant observation of small time gangsters. This is in the same league as Shane Meadows "Dead Mans Shoes". Stunning cinematography, outstanding acting by the whole cast. And a simple tale of morality, loyalty and trying to do the right thing. How is is the latest Liam Neeson film can be #1 in the box office this week when a film like this deserves a huge audience.

... of crime and retribution in a small, provincial, Irish town. The misguided, misled and educationally challenged enforcer for the local drug dealing family takes a decision that may well jeopardise the relationship he desires with his autistic son, at the same time his ex partner is doing the same. A top performance from Cosmo Jarvis as the family's muscle; I was reminded of his equally brilliant performance in Lady Macbeth.

This film really comes together. It has a heartfelt message at it's core which I understood and felt, but it also has some excitement in it, which seems to be more rare in Irish dramas that I have been watching lately. The actors are very strong. Love that Irish actor Barry. Very interesting to watch him on screen. Enjoyable film. Good story.

I watch the movie in the small Bulgarian cinema center. You feel inside the movie, feel the anger and despair of main characters. You feel the drama between a person reconnected from his ex and son. The acting is well done, emotionally involving and powerful. Recommend.