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Showing all 20 reviews...
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Good movie, and a true story. Watchable, and it holds your attention until the end. I was surprised by how much I liked this movie. Good stuff!
8/10
18.10.2009 -
rob_ontario18@ - age: 26-35
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I found the film fascinating because it raises a lot of questions about identity, loyalty, conviction and courage. Its photography is in keeping with its subject matter, raw and gritty. It's a brave film tackling a very somber period. Jim Sturgess' performance alone is well worth the price of admission. The guy has got range, to say the least.
9/10
22.8.2009 -
ghp@ - age: 36-49
[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
This is a film that asks the question what is the price of being a good citizen and answers it by telling the story of a young man (you would have to be young and nieve to take on such a task)who pays the ultimate sacrifice in order to help others (and avenge his friends mutilation), not by dying but having to be exiled and never having the possibility of seeing his family again. Continualy on the run relentlessly pursued by those he betrayed.
8/10
17.8.2009 -
randy_fielding@ - age: 50+
A good movie, but I think it's more geared to a North American audiences. The violence is extreme, but not gratuidous. You do need to have a passing understanding of the Northern Ireland conflicts, though, or you will have trouble following the plot. I went with my daughter and had to explain some key points - like who are the IRA, and why was there a war? The Irish accents were somewhat difficult to understand, but it didn't take away from the movie. Based on a CBC interview with the Canadian director I heard, she tried not to take sides in her film, but the real Martin was angry that the movie wasn't as anti- IRA as he wanted. The Director claimed the film received great reviews in Northern Ireland, saying they felt she 'got' the feel of the conflict and portrayed the various sides without bias.
8/10
12.8.2009 -
jsprout@ - age: 50+
I have not read anything of the biography of "Martin' but I don't think it is important to the plot. The message of the hopeless place in which he found himself was only too plain. The one thing I thought that wasn't well depicted is the difference between the english (caught in the middle) and the Ulster Defense league, (as much a terrorist mob as the IRA) It is a difficult mess to make any sense of; like pretending human bombs are part of a religious war in the Middle East. Terrorism is the same the world over so the movie certainly has relevance.
8/10
10.8.2009 -
glegh@ - age: 50+
I saw this film at the Vancouver Film Festival last year, it was incredible! I came back for round two and was even more amazed! Fantastically done from every angle... thank you.
10/10
10.8.2009 -
foxybabe46@ - age: 18-25
We thought it was really good - it's long enough at 1:57, but it didn't drag at all. The accents and vocabulary were a bit of a challenge, but not enough that it got in the way of the story. I thought it was a really compelling story about a really interesting subject.
9/10
10.8.2009 -
lani7dracl@ - age: 36-49
Very interesting movie, it showed another angle to the conflict in Ireland at that time. I would recommend this movie.
7/10
8.8.2009 -
mkubiak_13@ - age: 50+
This man really did save lives and helped to put many of the terrorists in the I. R. A. In jail , but the movie was so far removed from the actual events that it lost all credibility. Right from the very first scene.
1/10
6.8.2009 -
roger222@ - age: 26-35
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[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
Being from Belfast I was intrigued as to how this movie would play itself out. It was disappointing. I am unclear as to what their target audience was. If it was intended for North Americans, then they needed to slow down the dialog or minimally repeat some of the key conversations. I think that the graininess of the film was intentional and effective. This is a gritty area of the world and they did a nice job of incorporating real footage with film action. But this movie sadly fails in delivering the plot storyline. The main character's role of being a traitor is not strongly presented. The other character played by Ben Kingsley is simply unbelievable. Who exactly is he? What does he represent in the movie? Why does no one else recognize him? The movie has some very good action in places and some of the minor characters are very believable... but if this is how the IRA really works then they would have been put out of existence decades ago.. I also found it quite ironic that they portray the Brits as bad guys, which they are, yet we are to warm up to this young man who is a traitor to the IRA's fight for freedom? They should have knee capped him... lol So don't see the movie. Rent 'Bloody Sunday' instead.
5/10
4.8.2009 -
psterl3384@ - age: 36-49
No story at all. One of the worst movies I have ever seen.
1/10
3.8.2009 -
larger_than_life99@
I walked out. I gave it 30 minutes - enough already with this crisis that will never go away. Lives wasted for nothing. Ego manaics everywhere. Ok I'm being harsh - I'm having one of those days.
2/10
3.8.2009 -
riverdalekid@ - age: 50+
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All the more interesting since it's based on a true story and there's a Canadian connection. Gritty, yes, but don't hesitate to go and see the film. The violence is integral to the story and not over-the-top.
9/10
3.8.2009 -
cindyarm@ - age: 50+
This is a very amateur production which borders on being a waste of the viewers time. It is impossible to understand the dialogue due to the poor accents. The filiming is of amateur quality and the sound track is mindless.
2/10
2.8.2009 -
gyman@ - age: 36-49
This is a powerful film. I was very impressed with the caliber of the film making. Acting, directing, photography--just superb.
9/10
2.8.2009 -
rozzw@
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Saw this movie in the fall of 2008 at the Vancouver Film Festival. Absolutely fantastic - the kind of movie where the whole audience all gasps/laughs/cringes at exactly the same time. Disappointed though that the climax is shown in the trailer as not everyone that would go see the movie knows the whole story.
9/10
1.8.2009 -
cynprost@ - age: 26-35
A gripping drama based on a true life story that has many shocking scenes that are not for the fainthearted. Great overall cast with Jim Stugess who nails McGartland to perfection. A well-acted, well-directed film that is worthwhile to watch to make us appreciate our freedom and life.
7/10
31.7.2009 -
vblackie5@
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This movie is very gritty and in places a bit hard to watch, but it's excellent. The acting is fabulous. Jim Sturgess plays his complex role as an informant so well and Ben Kingsley is convincing as his handler. It's a great film.
9/10
30.4.2009 -
lartmont@ - age: 36-49
Beautifully shot, amazing story, feels increadably real and it’s very insightful. Wonderful!
10/10
21.4.2009 -
fishfilms@ - age: 36-49
I would highly recommend this movie, for those who are interested in Irish politics. This is an intense film with a great story and fantastic acting!
8/10
2.4.2009 -
weechicken@ - age: 36-49
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