Read Mixed User Reviews for Belfast

6

JLuis_001Dec 2, 2021

Belfast is an idyllic idealization of a bygone era, taking us back in time in a way that looks quite fine. So far, so good.

Everything looks great, but this is a tale in which Kenneth Branagh seems to have fallen too much in love withBelfast is an idyllic idealization of a bygone era, taking us back in time in a way that looks quite fine. So far, so good.

Everything looks great, but this is a tale in which Kenneth Branagh seems to have fallen too much in love with Alfonso Cuarón's ''Roma'', and also falls into clichés that turn his well-crafted film, and personal story, into a flat adventure, that lacks dramatic momentum and gets a bit incoherent at times.

Not that it doesn't have more than one compelling narrative component, but none of them propels Belfast far enough to create a lasting impression.

It all looks awesome, but like Cuarón's ''Roma'', there's nothing profound behind the façade.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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5

MattyIce34Nov 12, 2021

I appreciated the performances, but the direction and story are pretty inconsistent. Would be surprised to see this genuinely competes for Best Picture…

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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5

moviemitch96Nov 12, 2021

Focuses on a young boy coming of age in 1960s Ireland with his family. Filmed in black and white and directed by Kenneth Branagh, this is a semi-autobiographical film based off his upbringing. And while it most certainly comes off as quite aFocuses on a young boy coming of age in 1960s Ireland with his family. Filmed in black and white and directed by Kenneth Branagh, this is a semi-autobiographical film based off his upbringing. And while it most certainly comes off as quite a love letter to the city he grew up in, none of it feels wholly remarkable or original, and despite only clocking in at a little over an hour and a half, it still manages to feel drawn out. Really, the best way I can describe this film is that it feels like an Irish 'Roma'. It just felt rather derivative for my liking. Granted, the film's not without its charming moments, and the cast (particularly Caitriona Balfe and Dame Judi Dench) all give great performances, but none of that's quite enough to overcome a rather pedestrian, forcibly sentimental, and straightforward-feeling film that basically just felt like nothing more than Kenneth Branagh's 'Roma'.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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6

MarkHReviewsDec 2, 2021

“Belfast,” the new film by writer/director Kenneth Branagh (who starred in the “Wallander” TV series, various Shakespeare productions on stage and screen), is a love letter to his childhood home filmed in black-and-white. The film is set in“Belfast,” the new film by writer/director Kenneth Branagh (who starred in the “Wallander” TV series, various Shakespeare productions on stage and screen), is a love letter to his childhood home filmed in black-and-white. The film is set in 1969 in the midst of the Troubles between Catholics and Protestants in Belfast. But for eight-year-old Buddy, armed conflict is a secondary backdrop to much more important matters: swooning over the smartest girl in his class, watching US-made Westerns, going to the cinema. Armed with a cardboard sword and a trash can shield in the opening scene, Buddy frolics in his mixed Protestant-Catholic neighborhood where everybody knows, and takes care of, everybody else.

Branagh’s consistent use of Buddy’s point of view is the film’s greatest strength and also its weakness. The film is thoughtful, sweet and earnest. But this consistent use of a child’s perspective blurs and blunts the jolting realities surrounding Buddy, who is insulated by his watchful parents and nurturing neighborhood. The storyline is slight. It centers on a series of seemingly random remembrances by Branagh about his childhood. (In case anyone wonders whether Buddy is Branagh, there’s a brief scene of Buddy reading a “Thor” comic book. Branagh directed the film by the same name in 2011.) The only creative tension is whether the family will join Pa in England, where he is employed on a construction project. (Branagh’s father was a plumber and carpenter.) Even so, there’s plenty of material to celebrate a love of family, to seed the suspicion that there’s a much larger world out there and to experience the sad wistfulness of loss.

Despite the flimsiness of the storyline, several elements make this film a must-see. First, Branagh has assembled an amazing ensemble of actors. Judi Dench (one Oscar, 67 total awards, 179 award nominations) and Ciaran Hinds (a veteran character actor and Belfast native) are excellent as Buddy’s grandparents. Caitriona Balfe (“Outlander’) and Jamie Dornan (apparently used to being portrayed in shades of gray) are stellar as Ma and Pa. In his first feature film, nine-year-old Jude Hill (Buddy) is simply amazing. His energy, enthusiasm and wide-eyed innocence will totally capture any moviegoer with a soul. Showing his nascent dramatic range, Hill convincingly inhabits the role of an eight-year-old.

Second, Belfast native Van Morrison provides the dramatic, energetic score. The soundtrack blends familiar tunes with striking new songs that open and close the film. Throughout, Morrison provides an ideal texture for this piece. Finally, the cinematography of Haris Zambarloukos (“Death on the Nile,” “Locke”), who seems to revel in stark nighttime imagery, further elevates this film.

The epigram at the end of the film reads “For those who stayed. For those who left. And for all the ones who were lost.” It’s an excellent summation of Branagh’s desire to be all-inclusive in his nostalgic tribute to an earlier, simpler time – that actually wasn’t.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

HerickDienerDec 4, 2021

Há quem diga que todo diretor tem um filme pessoal e autobiográfico durante sua carreira, mas eu acredito que, quando não há muito o que dizer, você realmente não precisa fazer um.

E aqui temos um exemplo do porquê... "Belfast" éHá quem diga que todo diretor tem um filme pessoal e autobiográfico durante sua carreira, mas eu acredito que, quando não há muito o que dizer, você realmente não precisa fazer um.

E aqui temos um exemplo do porquê... "Belfast" é superficial, caricato e raso, especialmente para um filme que é descrito como pessoal e íntimo pelo seu diretor, Kenneth Branagh.

Boa parte do lado positivo de "Belfast" está em seu elenco, e ele inclui a sempre lendária Judi Dench, presente no melhor diálogo do longa, e o protagonista Jude Hill em uma estreia incrível, na qual literalmente carrega o filme em suas pequenas costas, principalmente quando o roteiro puxa para o humor.

Mas não há muito o que dizer durante os seus 97 minutos de duração, mesmo que muita coisa esteja acontecendo na tela - e isso inclui explosões, furtos e morte -, você não se apega de verdade à narrativa, ainda que dê um sorriso de canto de boca aqui ou ali.

Só tirem a Judi Dench de casa para bons filmes, por favor.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

benjanzenNov 25, 2021

The love and care that was put into Belfast is evident. A personal and heartwarming story from Kenneth Branagh that captures childlike wonder during challenging times. Beautifully shot and performed, but I can't say it didn't feel fairlyThe love and care that was put into Belfast is evident. A personal and heartwarming story from Kenneth Branagh that captures childlike wonder during challenging times. Beautifully shot and performed, but I can't say it didn't feel fairly bland and shallow overall. It lacked the depth and intrigue needed in order for it to stand out or resonate.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

DukeCumberjackNov 12, 2021

Has some touching moments but for a story centered around violent sectarian conflict, this film has essentially no bite to it at all. Maybe wait for it to come to streaming if you want some warm fuzzies one night. Overall pretty forgettableHas some touching moments but for a story centered around violent sectarian conflict, this film has essentially no bite to it at all. Maybe wait for it to come to streaming if you want some warm fuzzies one night. Overall pretty forgettable with an almost disrespectful amount of Oscar-bait shoved in. Kid was pretty good though.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

RalfbergsJun 17, 2022

It was ok movie, but I think it didn't show enough also about the story what was happening around. It is sort of told in the way of the boy's eyes, not seeing why or what is really goin on. It's ok movie, but for me missed something

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

MetacriticOnurFeb 8, 2022

admirable
[ ad-mer-uh-buhl ]

adjective
worthy of admiration; inspiring approval, reverence, or affection.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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5

bertobellamyMar 13, 2022

Your regular safe film that probably will win big at the Oscars. Kenneth Branagh invites us to take a trip through memory lane with 'Belfast,' a semi-autobiographical account of his childhood in the city of the same name during the beginningYour regular safe film that probably will win big at the Oscars. Kenneth Branagh invites us to take a trip through memory lane with 'Belfast,' a semi-autobiographical account of his childhood in the city of the same name during the beginning of The Troubles. Of course, this is a very personal exercise in which Branagh capitalizes nostalgia with a tale about family and coming of age. But unlike 'Roma,' 'Licorice Pizza' and 'The Hand of God,' the result is a bland film that sure has good acting and tender moments but fails at making you feel the tumultuous time in which the story is set. The best part: Ciarán Hinds' Pa, the only character that resonated with me.… Expand