Like CGI photos of your childhood: technically well-made, but too polished to feel authentic.

I'm sure this semi-autobiographical film was a passion project for Kenneth Branagh and I'm glad he could get it off his cinematic chest, bu, tbh, I was more into the brief, vintage news clips they showed in the background.

Now let's see a film based on the Boney M. song...

A swell little film, this.

I may not have a connection to the events portrayed onscreen, but 'Belfast' is - despite the not so good true events that it's retelling - is a pleasant film to watch. With a perfectly timed length of around 90 minutes, this 2021 flick holds a lot of heart - it's also rather funny, it had me laughing a fair number of times.

The star of the film is undoubtedly youngster Jude Hill, who is an absolute joy in the role of Buddy - some performance from the 11-year-old! Buddy's connections with every single character are lovely, especially with those played by Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench - wait... that was Judi Dench?! I legit didn't even notice until the end credits, which shows how convincing her performance as a Northern Irish grandmother is... or perhaps I need my eyesight tested, who's to say.

Jamie Dornan and Caitríona Balfe also merit props, in what is a very good release from Kenneth Branagh & Co. The target audience, along with others of course, will adore it, I'm sure. Also... love the choice of black-and-white, fwiw.

“Why did you take that washing powder?”
“It’s biological.”

And I believe in Caitríona Balfe supremacy.

This wasn't bad but I feel the Buddy character was, largely, ripped off from Jojo Rabbit.

#justboomerthings
A couple of set-pieces were interesting to watch, but overall it's unfocused and meandering.
Go watch _First They Killed My Father_ (2017) if you want to see a revolt-through-the-eyes-of-a-child done right.

Belfast

A very fine dramatic autobiographical film about the director's childhood in a past Belfast set during the Northern Irish conflict.

One thing I particularly loved about the film are the shots: I've only seen Thor by Branagh so far, so I'm not familiar with his directing style, but some shots I found particular, out of the ordinary, innovative. A bit 'reminded me of the style of Wes Anderson with various close-ups.

The film does not present a complex plot or development, telling the growth of Buddy in a simple way and as it is presented to us.
A very nice picture, with a choice of black and white just right for this film.

For being so small, Jude Hill was very good at playing a part like Buddy. The grandparents are also very beautiful, especially the scene where they dance, impossible not to smile at every scene.

7/10

This film is clearly going onto win Best Picture and not a single other contender can stand in it’s way. It’s a film built to sweep the Oscars/all other award shows. Sure it’s flawed but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t one of the most immersive and throughly enjoyable films of the year.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and was sad that it ended so soon and so suddenly.

I think this movie did something that was really unique. This movie could have easily expanded on the battle between the Catholics and the Protestants and become a three hour epic. Instead, the director kept the story smaller in scale and thus kept the focus on the main characters and the city itself. I don't know Branagh that well but I was extremely impressed by his direction in this movie. The decision to film in black and white was excellent. I loved how Branagh worked in Van Morrison and Western movies to accentuate the story. Also, I think the closeups on the main characters really helped us to sympathize with that they were going through. This film might not be in my top five for the year but it would certainly be in the top ten.

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This movie is pretty much built and engineered to win best picture.
It has some interesting characters, but there’s not a lot of complexity or depth to the story.
For example, there’s almost no point in setting it during this time period, because it serves mostly as a backdrop.
That’s not a bad thing, but it could’ve raised so many more interesting questions about growing up during this time period and how it shapes you as a person.
I get that this is mostly because the film’s framed from the kid’s perspective, but that might not have been the most engaging way to tell this story.
It’s just mostly a fun and happy film with some nice dialogue, acting and emotional beats.
It’s also kinda unfocussed and fairly predictable as a story.
The cinematography is pretty good though (composition wise, and doing the film stuff in colour was pretty smart).


6/10

This is the kind of personal film that we rarely see these days. My only complain is that at times it felt like a play, like the opening and the riot scenes.

Touching nostalgic look that offers one of the warmest descriptions of the family that I have seen lately. It has echoes of Terence Davies without reaching the depth of films like "The long day closes" (1992), but offers a lucid portrait of the absurd confrontation between neighbors for religious reasons. With brilliant ideas such as the introduction of color through cinema, it manages emotions without forcing them.

I gonna rate this movie with one word: brilliant.
I loved the story and the acting, especially the kid was great, superb overall. 8.5/10

Was lucky enough to snag tickets to this at London Film Festival. It’s been over a month now since I saw it and the scene featuring Everlasting Love has been living in my head rent free ever since. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone that can’t relate to the family in some way. Best ensemble and picture? Here’s hoping because the cast worked seamlessly together and their bond on and off screen is evident