I was bracing myself a bit, before going to see this, as I knew it was about an ex-soldier and his PTSD. So, I thought it'd be a difficult watch.
But, I was surprised by it. It wasn't just about the brutality & misery that people inflict on each other. Those things were there, but they served as a back drop to the humanity & compassion of Luke McQuillan's character, Danny.
Even though Danny has a lot of pain, sheer bad luck, and looks like no way to get out of it, he rises above it, to help the teenage Will. (played by Daniel Fee)
It's that compassionate humanity of Danny that just can't stay silent and do nothing.
You spend the whole movie hoping against hope that they'll beat the odds. Rooting for Danny especially, as he's put so much on the line.
The cinema was silent throughout the movie - everyone else was holding their breath too.
Yes, it wasn't a perfect movie - after all, it's Indie, low budget etc, but, Luke McQuillan was sooooo powerful & magnetic on the screen, you just couldn't look away. The perfect hero - the strong guy who has a heart, & protects those who are weaker. But not a trope. His character revealed itself slowly. He was still, & in control of his emotions, but you could almost read them out loud from his face. Brilliant directing from Mark O'Connor.
And I loved that I was guessing, & wondering, & never had those disappointing 'I know exactly what's going to happen next' moments.
I think Daniel Fee has a bit of a way to go, but as a first time actor, he gave a good portrayal of the unsure & often stupid teenage Will. It's just that Luke McQuillan owned the screen, & as the viewer, that's where you wanted to keep returning. More of Luke McQuillan please!!!!!
Aidan Gillen is always a riveting watch. He plays the gangland boss, Power. There's one scene (not a spoiler) where he's simply eating chips / French fries, and he's absolutely terrifying and menacing.
Power is a 'strong man' character too, as Danny is, but not the kind of man anyone wants in their life.
Mark O'Connor's skill as a director makes these characters so believable. And the locations he films in are real Dublin - I know because I live here. Beautiful parts, good parts, but tough & dirty areas too. Just like those characters.
Go and see it, & watch something real. Unless you only like slick, big budget, movies showing nice & tidy stories!
