This film is what I suppose the term 'quiet' is intended. It makes no effort to introduce the audience to place, circumstances, or time. We are presented with a young man (played by current favourite, Paul Mescal) who is seemingly returning to his small Irish home community after a substantial time of absence.
It is clear that his return raises varying emotions in family members and others in the community. We get a sense that there is a lot of tension under the surface, and relationships with particular people are strained but never explained.
Alongside Brian's arrival, the film portrays a hardworking, financially vulnerable community, dependant on the fishing/oyster gathering industry (? If apologies if this is incorrect terminology/surmisation?). It is a bleak watch, and I would understand if many abandoned it. Had I been in a different mood I may have done so.
However, there was enough intrigue created, for me to stick with it and see what was going to unfold. I was pleased that , unlike some films of this ilk, it was actually building to an incident which then forces certain characters to make decisions that compromise their values and question their loyalties.
It is subtle, perhaps too much so for me personally, but it is very authentic, and I believe an accurate depiction of how a victim can become an outcast if the perpetrator is within a community's heart. It raises many important questions, and does offer some satisfying realisations and declarations.
The themes are not new, but they continue, unfortunately to be very relevant and problematic today. So it is great that filmmakers are continuing to address these issues and keep people discussing and reflecting upon the treatment of women, how we deal with sexual assault, especially when the perpetrator is liked, family or /& 'one of our own'.
It is clear that his return raises varying emotions in family members and others in the community. We get a sense that there is a lot of tension under the surface, and relationships with particular people are strained but never explained.
Alongside Brian's arrival, the film portrays a hardworking, financially vulnerable community, dependant on the fishing/oyster gathering industry (? If apologies if this is incorrect terminology/surmisation?). It is a bleak watch, and I would understand if many abandoned it. Had I been in a different mood I may have done so.
However, there was enough intrigue created, for me to stick with it and see what was going to unfold. I was pleased that , unlike some films of this ilk, it was actually building to an incident which then forces certain characters to make decisions that compromise their values and question their loyalties.
It is subtle, perhaps too much so for me personally, but it is very authentic, and I believe an accurate depiction of how a victim can become an outcast if the perpetrator is within a community's heart. It raises many important questions, and does offer some satisfying realisations and declarations.
The themes are not new, but they continue, unfortunately to be very relevant and problematic today. So it is great that filmmakers are continuing to address these issues and keep people discussing and reflecting upon the treatment of women, how we deal with sexual assault, especially when the perpetrator is liked, family or /& 'one of our own'.