Belfast, 1 9 7 4. While playing with a stick on a rooftop, Irish lad Gerry Conlon is mistaken for a sniper and chased by the British police. In order for the situation to "cool down", Gerry is sent by his father Giuseppe to settle for a while in London, together with another Irish lad, Paul Hill. Upon returning to Belfast, Gerry is arrested and interrogated by Inspector Dixon, who coerces him to sign a statement. Later, this is used as evidence on trial where Gerry and Giuseppe are convicted as IRA terrorists guilty of Guildford pub bombings. In prison, Giuseppe becomes sick and eventually dies. Gerry is contacted by lawyer, Mrs. Gareth Peirce, who starts investigating his case. She discovers a document in the archives titled "Not to be shown to the defense", which confirms that Dixon knew years ago that someone else confessed the bombings. Upon a re-trial, the court acquits Gerry, who is finally released from prison after 15 years.
Based on the real life case of Guildford Four and Maguire Seven, one of the most notorious examples of British miscarriage of justice, "In the Name of the Father" is a gripping, engaging, authentic and energetic movie experience, though the director Jim Sheridan is much more inspired during the first and last act when it is a legal drama and depiction of Gerry Conlon's private life and behavior (excellent Daniel Day-Lewis) than the second, middle act which plays out in prison. The almost hour long prison segment is boring and routine, failing to justify wasting so much of the movie's running time, though Sheridan wanted to illustrate Conlon's plight and mental torture by enduring 15 years in prison as an innocent man. Historical inaccuracies aside (Gerry and his father did not share the same prison cell), "In the Name of the Father" flows smoothly, and a high compliment should be given to the outstanding, crystal-clear cinematography by Peter Biziou, which gives a sense of higher aesthetic even during the most mundane scenes. A great pity is that the character of lawyer and human rights activist Mrs. Gareth Peirce appears so late, around 80 minutes into the film, which is scarce since she is played miraculously by Emma Thompson and clearly dominates every scene she is in. One of the best moments is when their case is at an impasse, so Gerry tells Gareth to do "whatever is necessary"—cut to the next scene of Gareth marching with hundred human rights activists protesting for Gerry's release. While more significant morally and humanistically than cinematically, this movie is a valuable legal lesson and a strong piece of drama.
Grade:+++
No comments:
Post a Comment