’71 **** (2014, Jack O’Connell, Sam Reid) – Movie Review

Hot young Brit star of the moment Jack O’Connell stars as Gary Hook, a young British soldier belonging to a new regiment under the command of Lieutenant Armitage (Sam Reid), who is sent to Belfast in 1971 to help control an emergency situation caused by IRA terrorism.

After a riot on the streets, Hook is accidentally separated from his unit and forced to survive alone in hostile IRA territory. A long, vicious, life-or-death chase ensues.

Yann Demange’s directorial debut is gripping, pounding and brutal. In some ways it is extremely realistic and convincing. In other ways, though, it seems staged and contrived. Gregory Burke‘s screenplay is commendably clear and efficient but seems a bit plain and straightforward, lacking real depth and complexity. It doesn’t takes sides, and keeps out of politics. It just focuses on Hook’s plight and his terror.

O’Connell is very good, but his action man running role doesn’t give him the acting opportunities that Starred Up did in 2013. He’s great at looking pained and troubled, he is naturalistic and convincing, but there is nothing more he can do no more with a fairly conventional one-dimensional hero role. The other roles are even thinner, especially Reid’s, and need more flesh on their bones.

Tat Radcliffe’s cinematography is exciting and immediate, and the production designs (filming in Blackburn, Lancashire) give a very realistic picture of riot-troubled Belfast in 1971. The film jangles with tension, though, with its serious situations and violent war deaths, it’s a downer. After all the terrible mess, damage and chaos, the ending feels a bit too neat and pat.

Still, for all its faults and shortcomings, this serious-minded chase thriller is an edge-of-seat must-see white-knuckle ride.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Movie Review

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com/