Review of Belfast (2021) by Tommonday — 10 Oct 2022

Just because Branagh based this on his early life doesn’t automatically mean he can translate those experiences into a compelling narrative. He tries to comment on The Troubles by filming good actors in pristine clothing with B&W stock.

But the decision to shoot the pic without color is baffling – a meaningless gesture that has zero relevance to the film’s themes. Performances are solid but go nowhere in a plot that has no actual scenes, just events – consequently, the first minute of the movie feels exactly like the last.