From the opening phonograph scene, we know we are in the 20's. Instead of fiddling while Rome burns, we have dancing while Ireland broods. The film effectively brings out the class elements to the conflict - albeit in a less masculine way thatn How Green Was My Valley. "About what?" an Anglo-Irish asks at cadlelit dinner, when asked what he thinks about 'the situation'.
"Closing in, I think. Rolling up." The problem of this film is depicting those caught between, while failing to find a tone that is close while the main characters are 'rolling '. Cheerio and all that! What are they doing having a tennis party in the midst of war? (And why are we with them?) One stiff upper lip desires sometihng real to happen, even the house to burn.
Keira Knightly feels sure 'they' (the rebels) won't shoot her chap while she's there. "They all know me." One struggles to know the characters in the film. Such things are more easily done with novelistic interiority.
Nothing against Keira Knightly, but I am in love with Maggie Smith. See her shine also in Muriel Spark's Prime of Miss Jane Brodie.
"Closing in, I think. Rolling up." The problem of this film is depicting those caught between, while failing to find a tone that is close while the main characters are 'rolling '. Cheerio and all that! What are they doing having a tennis party in the midst of war? (And why are we with them?) One stiff upper lip desires sometihng real to happen, even the house to burn.
Keira Knightly feels sure 'they' (the rebels) won't shoot her chap while she's there. "They all know me." One struggles to know the characters in the film. Such things are more easily done with novelistic interiority.
Nothing against Keira Knightly, but I am in love with Maggie Smith. See her shine also in Muriel Spark's Prime of Miss Jane Brodie.
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