Cert 15
132 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong violence, strong language
Here's a film I didn't get to watch during the cultural desert which was my children's early years.
So, I was pleased that I had the opportunity to catch up with the 2016 re-release of Neil Jordan's Michael Collins.
This biopic stars Liam Neeson as one of the leading figures in the battle for Irish independence more than 100 years ago.
Michael Collins fought to oust the British, being described in the film as the secret Irish cabinet's "minister for gun-running, daylight robbery, and general mayhem".
But he also comes across as a charmer who has the intelligence to put strong views at the table of politicians.
This often leads him to cross metaphorical swords with his president-in-waiting, Eamon De Valera (Alan Rickman).
Jordan's movie is an engrossing action pic with a modicum of politics and a pinch of romance, provided by a strangely low-key Julia Roberts.
Neeson attacks the role like a pirate cutting a swathe and has uncanny resemblance to the real Collins.
But I have to point out the rather distracting accents of him, Roberts and Rickman.
To be fair to Rickman, I have listened to a speech by the real De Valera and he has an unusual tone which the actor tries hard to muster but doesn't quite crack.
I have also read that this film plays fast and loose with historical fact. However, I have since read up on the period and the key elements are all reasonably faithful.
Indeed, I was so rapt that this movie absolutely zipped by.
Reasons to watch: Engrossing true story
Reasons to avoid: The weird accents of the non-Irish
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Star tweet
Brian Lally Such a pleasure to be at the 20th anniversary screening of "Michael Collins" today in the Savoy, introduced by Liam Neeson & Neil Jordan
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