There’s something to be said for the power of a good crowd-pleaser. Those films that know exactly what they’re doing to give you an enjoyable time, even if there are some hardships along the way. Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast is exactly that type of film; an intensely personal and equally uplifting look into the writer-director’s upbringing amidst the Troubles during the late 60’s in Ireland and what happens when the unbridled imagination of a young child is forced to contend with the harrowing real world events transpiring around him. With a stellar debut from the incredibly endearing young Jude Hill and an outstanding supporting cast, Belfast is one of the most satisfying films of the year, guaranteed to leave you with a huge grin plastered across your face.
When his street is unceremoniously torn asunder by a riot instigated by Protestants to scare Catholics out of Belfast, young Buddy (Hill) begins to worry about the safety of his family within their small community. With his mind set at ease by his Ma (Caitríona Balfe) and Pa (Jamie Dornan), Buddy can go back to focussing on his everyday life: working up the courage to admit his feelings for his school crush, spending time with his Granny (Judi Dench) and Pop (Ciarán Hinds) and deciding what film to watch next at the cinema. But he soon begins to realise that things might not be as rosy as his parents suggest, as mounting financial and safety concerns force them to consider the prospect of leaving Ireland for England, whilst his grandparents are forced to confront their own medical issues. Meanwhile the threat of violence looms increasingly large over the small family as local gangster Billy Clanton (Colin Morgan) looks to take advantage of Pa and the riots become more frequent.
Kenneth Branagh has done a lot in his career but Belfast might just be his best, most intimate work to date. There isn’t a single beat that doesn’t feel completely necessary to telling the heartwarming story of Buddy and his family, whether that be the terrifying riot scenes that feel colossal in scale to the youngster or the fairly innocuous shoplifting that Buddy hilariously finds himself embroiled in. As a slice-of-life examination of this time period and the ground level struggles of the people living in it, Belfast feels incredibly well realised, striking a careful balancing act in tone between the childlike wonder Buddy views the world through – idolising the adults around him and their seemingly perfect life within the close-knit community – and the sad reality that these same adults are constantly struggling to get ahead in life.
While it may seem to be light on a driving narrative force – and the black and white gimmick doesn’t do much other than highlight a few especially beautiful shots – the rollercoaster ride of emotions the audience experiences following this family that can never seem to win is never not affecting, equally devastating and elating when it needs to be. That’s helped a great deal by the Van Morrison songs that soundtrack the film – himself from Belfast – which add another layer of authenticity and heart to the affair, joyously triumphant when Buddy is and quietly solemn when the moment calls for it.
Newcomer Jude Hill is the perfect vessel to explore this distinct viewpoint of a childhood robbed of its innocence, forced to contend with matters beyond his years. He brings such a youthful exuberance to the role that it is impossible not to get enraptured in Buddy’s day-to-day activities; feeling just as devastated as he does when he misses out on a chance to talk to his crush or terrified when he finds himself caught in trouble. There’s also a significant amount of comedy Hill brings to the role through what seems at times like ad-lib; hilarious off-the-cuff remarks that more often than not will have you in stitches at the strange, often alarmingly truthful ways children view the world around them.
Surrounding Hill is a bevy of Irish talent (and the great Judi Dench) who all deliver powerful, moving performances as adults in various degrees of trouble trying to present a united and calm front to this impressionable child in their midst. Ciarán Hinds is particularly effective in his role as Buddy’s grandfather, always with a potent life lesson on hand and a cheery demeanour despite his troubles; a role model for Buddy to lean on as the fate of his own future becomes unsure.
It may not push the coming-of-age genre into any unexplored directions but Belfast is still the best film of Kenneth Branagh’s career; an extremely well directed, triumphant celebration of Belfast and its people that is impossible not to fall in love with. Jude Hill is the perfect protagonist to explore this difficult time in Irish history, approaching the conflict with an innocence that is slowly eaten away as the reality of the situation dawns upon him and Branagh strikes the perfect balance in tone, never lingering on these heavy moments for too long before returning to the fun and folly of Buddy’s youth. After the bomb that was Branagh’s last film Artemis Fowl, this is a huge leap in the right direction, hopefully towards the top of many awards podiums.
Belfast stars Jude Hill, Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, Lewis McAskie & Judi Dench – In American cinemas now and Australian cinemas February 3rd.