FilmSnobReviews

Title: ’71
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Yann Demange
Starring: Jack O’Connell, Richard Dormer, Sean Harris
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins

What It Is: It’s 1971 in the streets of Belfast tension are flairing in the streets as riots ensue and unrest continues. We are placed smack dab in the middle of the conflict looking (sort of) at it through the eyes of a young British soldier (O’Connell). During a scuffle the soldier is abandoned by his unit. As he walks the dangerous streets of Belfest he must avoid being killed by the rioters. To top it all off he doesn’t know who to trust even within his unit, as some of the top brass begin to show a different side.

What We Think: O’Connell continues to do great work and he once again proves himself with another glowing performance in a good film from the U.K. a different character from his role in the British film Starred Up he continues to grow his range, and seems to have a good grasps on his characters especially for someone so young (25). Likewise director Demange makes the isolation and dread feel real. Never is there any artificiality with it This film does what another Jack O’Connell film Unbroken refused to do and told a truly gritty story seeped in real life conflict.

Our Grade: A,Seek this one out if you can find it as it’ll prove well worth your time. Not only is this one of the most goosebump inducing ride to come out of England in a while it gives some American thrillers a ride for their money. Not enough buzz for this one at all considering the quality of film we’re dealing with. Look out for this one in an art house theater, or on video on demand right now! You won’t be sorry.