The Wind That Shakes The Barley: Review

The Wind That Shakes The Barley was something of a surprise winner of the 2006 Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, a film that people enjoyed but no one raved about it. With its release in the UK, it was met with great controversy over its story of Irish Revolutionaries in the early 20th Century. For Britons, Ken Loach's film was a stab in the back of the director's own country. For others, it was a brave artistic achievement that was an emotionally devastating as billed. When it saw release in the US early this year, it passed with nary a yawn, critically admired but commercially ignored. It didn't seem to spark the kind of controversy, which is understandable. What isn't is why this film wasn't more heralded by audiences in America, as The Wind That Shakes the Barley is an undeniable success that has masterful moments of emotional disturbance. If not for its somewhat disappointing ending, we could be looking at a sure fire contender for film of the year.

Loach's film tells the story of two Irish brothers, Damien (Cillian Murphy) and Teddy (Padraic Delany), who join the burgeoning Irish Republic Army to fight the infamous English Black and Tan's, a paramilitary group that was unleashed into Ireland in an attempt to subdue the Irish. The film carefully and successfully mixes in the larger picture with the more intimate portrayal of a family facing upheaval. As a result, the film feels like it is tackling a huge subject from a very personal entry point and its success must be attributed to the wonderful performances all around. Murphy is especially excellent and its with each passing performance that he strikes me more and more as one of the finest actors of his generation. He brings a humanity to the role that forms nuanced contradictions throughout the film, presenting his actions as conflicts for him as well as the audience. Never once does Murphy allow his character to become anything less than completely believable and as his grief over his actions rises, his performance grows into a ferocious command of the screen. This man is a special, special actor and if he continues to make smart artistic (nothing suggests he won't), he'll go down as one of the more talented people of this era.

When viewing The Wind That Shakes the Barley, it is apparent that Loach is a seasoned veteran behind the camera as he provides the film with bracingly realistic feel. While it isn't quite as rough as Paul Greengrass' Bloody Sunday, Loach's film possesses a similar feel with its in your face violence that is never glamorized and really even altered. It is shown as is and that is bracing and startling. Sometimes a film such as TWTSTB comes along and shakes the viewer to the soul in its depictions of humanity's cruelty to each other. Unlike a Hollywood action flick, where the violence is so over the top, it is almost comical, Loach prefers to utilize simple images that are powerful and to the point. I defy anyone to watch the film with the volume raised and not find themselves grimacing at the intensity of certain scenes, at the chaos that erupts from nothing.

The film, regardless of political slant, is a well told, effectively realized drama that blends in romance, action and political intrigue with a envious subtlety that is usually lacking from politically fueled, historical epics (Braveheart, I love you but you're guilty here). For those who are unversed in the events being depicted (such as myself), you'll find yourself quickly researching the film's claims and depictions, to see if what Loach puts on screen is actually true. Unfortunately, much of it does seem accurate. As a result, The Wind That Shakes The Barley is an important documentation of times and events that are too often neglected due to their barbaric nature.

Had it not been for the final sequence of the film, which seems like its first obvious pull at emotional manipulation, TWTSTB would be a masterpiece. However, those concluding moments seem to betray the rest of the film. Where the events that lead up to the ending seem logical and realistic, the conclusion doesn't feel as organic as the rest of the film. These points of the film are not outright failures (in some respects, they are quite good), but it was the first point where I wanted to claim cop out. Its unfortunate, as Loach had hit on all cylinders up to that point. It isn't enough to ruin the film, far from it, but it is enough to dock it a point or two. That being said, this is a film to be viewer and cherished. It is filled with wonderful acting and strong direction. The cinematography by Barry Ackroyd is splendid, giving the film a majestic look, capturing the gentle rolling greens of Ireland with a restrained grace. Its politics may be off putting to some but as a piece of cinema, it is a solid success that will appeal to audiences looking for a historical epic with a strong dose of intelligence and emotion.

****