Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1969. The Troubles had just begun, and tensions are rising – to say the least – between the Catholics and Protestants. And with all the worry and strife and ever-present feeling of imminent danger, nine-year-old Buddy (wonderful newcomer Jude Hill) has one focus: to get his crush, Catherine, to notice him.
Seeing the movie through Buddy’s eyes helps keep the focus on the family, with The Troubles staying mostly in the background, though they certainly have their front-and-center moments. Buddy and his older brother Will live on their quiet, community-focused block with their mother (only named Ma, played to perfection by Caitríona Balfe) and loving-if-absent father (Pa, played by Jamie Dornan, also to perfection). Pa works construction in England, only allowing him to be home every other weekend.
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Even though The Troubles serve as the backdrop, Belfast really is a story about family and persevering through their ups and downs, same as any other family. Buddy spends lots of his free time hanging out with his grandma (Granny) and grandpa (Pop), brought to life by Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds. From them he learns about love and life, and sees through their relationship what a lifetime of true love and devotion looks like. Granny and Pop give us the most romantic moment of the movie, maybe the most romantic moment of any movie this year.
In addition to the brewing social conflicts, Ma and Pa have their own issues. Pa is doing what the can to keep their head above water. But he’s more charismatic than he is a professional success. Everything feels like one step forward, two steps back. He talks of big ideas, of moving to Vancouver or Sydney. He’s a dreamer, and only wants what’s best for his family. But wanting can only take you so far. Ma is more level-headed, helps keep him in check. With Pa gone so much, she’s done most of the child-rearing on her own. Ma should be more feared than anyone else who might come through the neighborhood, at least as far as Buddy’s concerned. And to Pa’s credit, he recognizes this, as he explains in one of Belfast’s best scenes.
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But to be fair, you could point to any number of scenes as the movie’s best. It’s filled with touching moments, heartbreak and inspiration, moments of pure joy and devastating sadness. And while Branagh’s script certainly sets the stage for that, the credit has to go to the actors. Balfe, Dornan, Dench, Hinds, and Hill all give Oscar-worthy performances. This is probably most beneficial to Dornan. He of course was the co-lead in the absolutely atrocious 50 Shades series. But he only continues to distance himself from those, and I think with Belfast, anyone who still doubts his talents simply doesn’t want to see the truth.
The guy can even sing! He showed it in the surprisingly fun Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar. And he gets a chance here as well, in what very well may be my favorite scene of the year.
Balfe goes toe to toe with Dornan the entire time. She can swing from doting mother to loving wife to stern disciplinarian at the snap of a finger. She conveys so much with just a look, or a shift of the eyes. In Dornan’s singing scene, she’s equally a star in the moment, and she doesn’t even say a word.
Balfe and Dornan give two of the best performances this year, but they still might not even be the two best in their own movie. Hinds and Dench are simply delightful as Pop and Granny. They’re pure love, humor, and optimism, things Buddy desperately needs to see, which he doesn’t always get from home.
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But through it all, it always come back to Buddy. Like most kids his age, he knows everything at home isn’t picture perfect. Some things linger with him more than others. But even those are pushed away at the thought of finally sitting next to Catherine in class, playing in the street with his friends, or even just the possibility of getting his hands on some chocolate. He’s still a kid, after all. He can’t help but see the joy and possibilities in life.
We would all be better served to be more like Buddy. Seek out the love, the joy, the beauty in the world around us. And Belfast is part of that beauty.
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