Michael Collins
Jun. 18th, 2003 10:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jazzfishI'd seen Michael Collins before, when it first came out, but I know a bit more about the history this time, so things like James Connolly being brought before a firing squad on a stretcher (and tied into a chair because he was so ill he quite literally could not sit upright) had more impact. The things I remembered from the first time I saw it: it opened with the executions of 1916; De Valera was an asshole and a stupid git; the rugby field shooting; "Bullets don't grow on trees-- what don't they grow on?" "Trees, sir."; Collins's death in the convoy.
Half of what I remembered was wrong. The first real scene in the film is actually the surrender at the post office, although it's followed quickly by the executions of MacDonagh, Clarke, Padraig Pearse, and Connolly; and Eamon De Valera is a much more complex character than I'd originally thought. Alan Rickman gives him just enough uncertainty that it can be seen through the oily-smooth politician's demeanor, and no more; there's no question that Dev is doing what he thinks is best for Ireland... and if it's best for him too, well, he's the duly elected representative of the Irish people, isn't he? And I didn't actually remember "Trees" until I heard it, but I have distinct memories of Jonathan saying that at least once afterwards.
It's not an easy film to watch. For those without the historical background, Collins is arguably responsible for the Irish Republican Army. You listen to the rhetoric, and you start to understand why he has to do things this way... and then two boys on the street shoot a government man simply because he works for the English. Terrorism, plain and simple. "It's the only thing they'll listen to," says Collins. History shows that the English have not listened to anything else the Irish have tried, and his terrorist tactics succeed in forcing the English to the treaty table
Liam Neeson is of course brilliant as Collins; Aidan Quinn does alright except that his accent slips at times. Alan Rickman (De Valera) and Stephen Rea (Ned Broy) perform admirably in difficult roles. Broy has the unenviable position of being Collins's inside man in Dublin Castle. He has no taste for conspiracy: he is nervous and unsure whether he's doing the right thing, but he carries on nonetheless. On Kitty Kiernan, Z's comment was "The movie had an acceptably low level of Julia Roberts" and I find I must agree with him.
In one scene, Broy is being shunted aside by an Englishman who's been brought in to get the situation under control. "Good work, then, Broy," the Englishman says. Broy attempts to correct the pronunciation of his name: "It's Brey, ser." The Englishman looks confused: "Roight, Broy." Broy shakes his head. Five minutes later a bomb goes off in the Englishman's car. Perhaps now he will understand that the Irish are not, and will never be, just Englishmen with a funny way of speaking.
Liam Neeson has now fought against the English as Rob Roy MacGregor and as Michael Collins. All that remains for the hat-trick is a turn as Owain Glyndwr.
Half of what I remembered was wrong. The first real scene in the film is actually the surrender at the post office, although it's followed quickly by the executions of MacDonagh, Clarke, Padraig Pearse, and Connolly; and Eamon De Valera is a much more complex character than I'd originally thought. Alan Rickman gives him just enough uncertainty that it can be seen through the oily-smooth politician's demeanor, and no more; there's no question that Dev is doing what he thinks is best for Ireland... and if it's best for him too, well, he's the duly elected representative of the Irish people, isn't he? And I didn't actually remember "Trees" until I heard it, but I have distinct memories of Jonathan saying that at least once afterwards.
It's not an easy film to watch. For those without the historical background, Collins is arguably responsible for the Irish Republican Army. You listen to the rhetoric, and you start to understand why he has to do things this way... and then two boys on the street shoot a government man simply because he works for the English. Terrorism, plain and simple. "It's the only thing they'll listen to," says Collins. History shows that the English have not listened to anything else the Irish have tried, and his terrorist tactics succeed in forcing the English to the treaty table
Liam Neeson is of course brilliant as Collins; Aidan Quinn does alright except that his accent slips at times. Alan Rickman (De Valera) and Stephen Rea (Ned Broy) perform admirably in difficult roles. Broy has the unenviable position of being Collins's inside man in Dublin Castle. He has no taste for conspiracy: he is nervous and unsure whether he's doing the right thing, but he carries on nonetheless. On Kitty Kiernan, Z's comment was "The movie had an acceptably low level of Julia Roberts" and I find I must agree with him.
In one scene, Broy is being shunted aside by an Englishman who's been brought in to get the situation under control. "Good work, then, Broy," the Englishman says. Broy attempts to correct the pronunciation of his name: "It's Brey, ser." The Englishman looks confused: "Roight, Broy." Broy shakes his head. Five minutes later a bomb goes off in the Englishman's car. Perhaps now he will understand that the Irish are not, and will never be, just Englishmen with a funny way of speaking.
Liam Neeson has now fought against the English as Rob Roy MacGregor and as Michael Collins. All that remains for the hat-trick is a turn as Owain Glyndwr.
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Date: 2003-06-18 11:55 pm (UTC)