2022 Best Picture Review: Belfast
Buddy (Jude Hill) and his family see a film at the local theater. Belfast is nominated for seven awards at the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Judi Dench is nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Today’s review marks the only Best Picture nominee that I (Erin) saw in theaters this year: Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast. This coming-of-age drama about the Troubles in Northern Ireland netted seven nominations at this year’s Academy Awards, and deserved a few more (*angry yelling about Caitríona Balfe and Jamie Dornan coming in hot*).
“If they can’t understand you, then they’re not listening, and that’s their problem.”
I’ve been thinking about this review for quite some time, and I have found it difficult to put into words how I feel about Belfast. Maybe it’s because I have a connection to Ireland that’s closer than any other place outside of New Jersey, the best state in the U.S. of A. It’s possible, too, that the familial relationships in the film really hit home for me sitting in the theater a few months back. No matter what the reason, I found Belfast to be an absolute triumph.
First of all, I am convinced that Belfast was brought to life specifically so that my dad would stop exclusively watching old episodes of Hogan’s Heroes at lunch AND during the requisite Wheel of Fortune time slot. Now that I think of it, maybe my mom has an “in” with Kenneth Branagh that I just don’t know about yet. Either way, it worked! He loved it as much as I did. It is about Buddy, a young lad of nine years old in a Protestant family growing up in a working class neighborhood during the Troubles of the 1960s. When rioters begin to attack the Catholic families in their Belfast block, Buddy’s family has to decide whether to stay and become involved in the fray, or to leave the place that has been their home for decades.
The dialogue in this film is one of its strengths, alternating between yarn-weaving and acerbic wit that is known to come from Irish tongues and the heartfelt messages delivered by the elders in the family. I find it remarkable how certain groups of people have taken their terrible circumstances and coped with humor and resilience. It’s something that the Irish in particular are known for, and it takes a star turn in this film.
Something that I didn’t notice until looking back were the names of the characters. Our top five are Buddy, Ma, Pa, Granny, and Pop. The expectation is set from the start that these characters are your people. The closeness of the family bleeds through the screen and into your heart. During its short 97-minute runtime (THANK YOU LORD for short movies) I went from “Oh cute, Ciarán Hinds is funny in this” to “I WOULD DIE FOR POP.” I found myself seeing my own family in these portrayals, which makes it a little more understandable why I was sobbing through three quarters of the film. Masks don’t just protect you from COVID, but they also make for a wonderful tear-shield, in case you weren’t already aware. Who am I kidding, though—most of you probably do know that after the dumpster fire of the past two years.
Speaking of dumpster fires, can we just take a moment to acknowledge the bone-headed decision to snub both Caitríona Balfe and Jamie Dornan for their roles as protagonist Buddy’s parents? Caitríona Balfe was the soul of the movie. One scene stands out in particular for me. During a riot, arguably one of the most terrifying moments of this character’s life, Ma finds that her son has stolen a box of laundry detergent, and decides that mom-mode comes first, dragging her child by the ear back to the store to return the goods. On paper, this is a reaction that seems wild and unrealistic, but the way Balfe plays it, you totally agree that the best course of action is this teachable moment, despite the fact that it puts both of them in imminent danger.
Now, I love Dame Judi Dench, who was nominated for her role as Granny in the film, but the dirt she has to have on some Academy voters must be strong, because the nomination should have gone to her co-star. Jamie Dornan being left off of the ballot was another egregious snub. As Pa, Dornan portrayed a combination of fiery passion and stoicism that may have been my favorite Supporting Actor performance of the year. This role felt even more personal knowing that the praise he was receiving came in the midst of his own father’s passing. I am heartbroken that this won’t be recognized for this role. That being said, Ciarán Hinds for Best Supporting Actor this year! Give it to him!!
There honestly aren’t many dings I could give to this film. Maybe that I cringed a little that Van Morrison (whose songs are featured throughout the film and who is up for Best Original Song) is being rewarded for his truly bonkers behavior lately? I know that some have criticized the film for not being innovative or new. Like I said with my CODA review, it would be difficult for me to care less about that. The humanity of Belfast comes with the recognition that hard times happen and they come for us all. When we have loved ones to lean on, and convictions to stand on, that’s how our lives derive meaning. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch it soon, and don’t forget the tissues.
Rating: 9.5/10