For starters in this review I would like to say I found this film far from difficult to understand in terms of language. I am English and have never lived in Ireland but have no problem understanding the colloquialisms and accents used by the characters in this film. In fact I found the Mike Leigh's commentary on the DVD unnecessarily over explanatory with reference to linguistics at times.
The central theme of this film seems to show that division be they cultural, religious or political (or in the case of Northern Ireland all three) do not necessarily show themselves in acts of extreme violence and conflict. Division can be far more banal, silence in a waiting room between two expectant fathers unable to share in their joint uncertainty or two new mothers unable to discuss the names of their offspring without the weight of history bearing down on them. Indeed this ties the viewer far closer to the characters on screen rather than utilising a death or some such other tragedy to highlight the impact of opposing positions.
This subtlety is weigh against some overblown characterisations at times but all in all a very worthwhile watch...
Oh and it's quite funny at times too!
The central theme of this film seems to show that division be they cultural, religious or political (or in the case of Northern Ireland all three) do not necessarily show themselves in acts of extreme violence and conflict. Division can be far more banal, silence in a waiting room between two expectant fathers unable to share in their joint uncertainty or two new mothers unable to discuss the names of their offspring without the weight of history bearing down on them. Indeed this ties the viewer far closer to the characters on screen rather than utilising a death or some such other tragedy to highlight the impact of opposing positions.
This subtlety is weigh against some overblown characterisations at times but all in all a very worthwhile watch...
Oh and it's quite funny at times too!