'Wind' blows away competition
Murphy's performance legitimizes film
Scott Hansen
Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: Scene
Over the vast history of film, there have obviously been countless movies devoted to portraying certain events surrounding various revolutions. And equally as obvious is that as Americans, we are treated to our fair share of either movies devoted to the American Revolution and no one else's, or simply we are treated to an Americanized version of some other country's fight for independence.
Along comes "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," a movie made and distributed in Ireland that focuses on Ireland's fight for its own independence from Britain. As a result of the filmmakers legitimately investing in the portrayal of the events that transpire in the film, we are treated to magnificent filmmaking that is a nice alternative to the typical revolutionary story.
It takes an entirely new approach in its attempts to show enough of Britain's bullying and terrorizing of the Irish characters that even for the viewer it becomes old, and action against them is desired. Cillian Murphy and Padraic Delaney play two brothers who have opposing viewpoints and desires in regards to what the Irish should do. Murphy's character is the smarter of the two, a doctor and well-educated man who favors a more nonviolent approach, whereas Delaney's character would like to act forcefully and quickly.
It sets up an interesting dilemma and question, whether or not Delaney truly believes what he is doing is right or if he just does it to one up his older and more popular brother. Additionally, it is just captivating to see a revolutionary leader who visibly does not like killing people and would rather run and hide from his problems, yet must at certain points be violent in order to achieve the goals he desires.
Murphy does an amazing job as always, and once again proves why he is likely Hollywood's most underrated male actor. Perhaps it was easy for Murphy to get invested in the role and accurately portray an Irishman, considering he is Irish. His amazingly accurate Irish accent doesn't hurt matters either. But on the other hand, how often do people revert back to playing a stereotype when undertaking the portrayal of someone from their own country? See Penolope Cruz and Salma Hayek.
There isn't an actual battle scene until about an hour into the film, and even then it is short and swiftly followed by a post-revolutionary segment that focuses on the trials and tribulations of the people who finally gain what they desire but have no idea what to do in terms of a new life.
"The Wind That Shakes the Barley" is captivating because it is obvious those involved with the project were extremely invested in how things looked and turned out. It feels authentic, and with its attention to detail and overall unique narrative it becomes an engaging film the viewer will likely want to see all the way through, much like the characters did when it came to their revolution.
- Scott Hansen
Along comes "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," a movie made and distributed in Ireland that focuses on Ireland's fight for its own independence from Britain. As a result of the filmmakers legitimately investing in the portrayal of the events that transpire in the film, we are treated to magnificent filmmaking that is a nice alternative to the typical revolutionary story.
It takes an entirely new approach in its attempts to show enough of Britain's bullying and terrorizing of the Irish characters that even for the viewer it becomes old, and action against them is desired. Cillian Murphy and Padraic Delaney play two brothers who have opposing viewpoints and desires in regards to what the Irish should do. Murphy's character is the smarter of the two, a doctor and well-educated man who favors a more nonviolent approach, whereas Delaney's character would like to act forcefully and quickly.
It sets up an interesting dilemma and question, whether or not Delaney truly believes what he is doing is right or if he just does it to one up his older and more popular brother. Additionally, it is just captivating to see a revolutionary leader who visibly does not like killing people and would rather run and hide from his problems, yet must at certain points be violent in order to achieve the goals he desires.
Murphy does an amazing job as always, and once again proves why he is likely Hollywood's most underrated male actor. Perhaps it was easy for Murphy to get invested in the role and accurately portray an Irishman, considering he is Irish. His amazingly accurate Irish accent doesn't hurt matters either. But on the other hand, how often do people revert back to playing a stereotype when undertaking the portrayal of someone from their own country? See Penolope Cruz and Salma Hayek.
There isn't an actual battle scene until about an hour into the film, and even then it is short and swiftly followed by a post-revolutionary segment that focuses on the trials and tribulations of the people who finally gain what they desire but have no idea what to do in terms of a new life.
"The Wind That Shakes the Barley" is captivating because it is obvious those involved with the project were extremely invested in how things looked and turned out. It feels authentic, and with its attention to detail and overall unique narrative it becomes an engaging film the viewer will likely want to see all the way through, much like the characters did when it came to their revolution.
- Scott Hansen
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