This is an intense and complex movie that manages to balance big questions about responsibility, family, and society, with big emotions.
Its quite a hard one to talk about without including spoilers, but essentially Brian (Paul Mescal) returns home to Ireland from Australia, and his mother Aileen (Emily Watson) is overjoyed to see him. But this doesn't last...and Brian's actions mean that Aileen must make some pretty big decisions.
The landscapes are stunning (I want to visit Ireland!) but they are outshone by the acting - especially Emily Watson, who is able to express so much just with a look. The storytelling feels really finely calibrated without it being contrived, and it manages to reach a dramatic climax that really hits you hard. And the music is great as well.
Overall, an important film tackling questions that still matter so much, but more than that, its the emotional journey that it takes you on - and Watson's performance - that make it so rich, compelling and urgent. What more could you want!?
Its quite a hard one to talk about without including spoilers, but essentially Brian (Paul Mescal) returns home to Ireland from Australia, and his mother Aileen (Emily Watson) is overjoyed to see him. But this doesn't last...and Brian's actions mean that Aileen must make some pretty big decisions.
The landscapes are stunning (I want to visit Ireland!) but they are outshone by the acting - especially Emily Watson, who is able to express so much just with a look. The storytelling feels really finely calibrated without it being contrived, and it manages to reach a dramatic climax that really hits you hard. And the music is great as well.
Overall, an important film tackling questions that still matter so much, but more than that, its the emotional journey that it takes you on - and Watson's performance - that make it so rich, compelling and urgent. What more could you want!?