Here's a film that doesn't yet have U.S. distribution, though it is being distributed in the UK, Spain and France so far. From the sound of it, we American blokes may be missing out on something pretty darn good. Personally, the Irish Cinema right now is turning out some amazing work, and eyes should be firmly fixed on what is coming out of there. So.... Give your time up to Red here, and listen hard, he ain't been sipping the cider too hard this fine early morn!
Red here again with another review of an Irish themed movie - Divorcing Jack. I still don't know if this has been released in the States but it was released here in Ireland months ago. What put it back in my mind was seeing Rachael Griffiths during the Oscars, because she has a role in the filmas a gun wielding nun (dont ask). It then occurred to me that I hadn't read any mention of it on your website and so I decided to post a review. Bear with me if I make any mistakes as it's ages since i seen the movie but here goes.
Divorcing Jack is based on a book by Irish writer Colin Bateman, "an Ulster Carl Hiaasen" as the book cover says. Typically his books are witty, caustic commentaries on the differences between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. What Bateman does so well is base these observations around ingenious, interesting plotlines which gives his books a satisfying narrative as well. My girlfriend had read the book and said it was great so we decided to give the movie a try. I was pretty tired when i went to see this so i wasn't trying to guess what was going to happen (as i do in other movies - bad habit, i know), but thinking back i don't think i would have guessed all the plot twists and red herrings. But enough about my mental state - here's the general outline.
Divorcing Jack has a very topical setting, given the current political status in Northern Ireland. The story takes place in a near-future N. Ireland which has become an independant country and which is about to elect its first prime minister. Into the story stumbles Dan Starkey (David Thewlis) , a newspaper reporter with an alcohol problem, a disintegrating marriage and a very cynical outlook on life. He gets unwillingly pulled into the murky world of politics when he embarks on an affair with a girl he meets at a party and things go badly downhill as both Republican and Loyalist terrorists start chasing him, the police want him for murder and his wife wants to beat his head in. All because the leader in the polling booths, O'Brinn (Robert Lindsay) has a dark secret which he'll go to any lengths to hide in case he loses his lead.
I don't want to say any more about the plot which has several wonderful twists and turns but it has a brilliantly satisfying ending which had me grinning from ear to ear. And Bateman's characters are brought to life superbly. David Thewlis (so excellent in Mike Leigh's Naked - so shite in The Island of Dr. Moreau) is unbelievably good in this. He's in almost every scene and delivers his sarcastic lines with such relish that you can't help thinking he's like this in real life. Rarely has the "ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances" plot cliche been so well played. As he gets deeper and deeper into trouble he gets more and more frustrated and frazzled since he doesn't know what people think he knows - a joy to watch. And his Belfast accent is absolutely flawless. The supporting cast are great too (look out for Bronagh Gallagher - one of the Commitmentettes/Eric Stoltz's housemate in Pulp Fiction -as a foul-mouthed taxi driver)
But hold on a minute - before you all rush out to see this film there are flaws. The sudden transitions from comic set-pieces to violence is uncomfortable leaving the film a bit uneven. Maybe the point is that violence in Northern Ireland (or anywhere) announces itself suddenly but it just makes you feel guilty about laughing. Also the Irish references will be lost on wider audiences. Example - There is a town in the film called Crossmaheart, a thinly veiled reference to real-life Crossmaglen which is a notorious Republican bed of IRA activity. The joke is that a few years ago, a make of bra was marketed in the UK as Cross My Heart (due to the cross shape over the wearer's ..ahem....heart) . Admit it...how many Americans would have got that?
Nevertheless this is a cracking good film even if you miss these in-jokes. Okay Irish viewers , especially people living in Belfast who can pick out the locations, will enjoy it more but try it anyway and who knows you might even learn something about N. Ireland.
Slante
Red
