In the Name of the Father

Rating:
Summary: Almost too good to be true
Review: This movie should have won an Oscar and Daniel Day-Lewis should have won one too (Both were nominated). He did a magnificent job as a petty crook in Northern Ireland, who gets in trouble, and moves to London, where he gets in much bigger trouble when he is falsely accused of blowing up a pub in Guildford, and thus becomes one of the "Guildford Four."

Although the other three have minor parts, this movie is about Gerry Conlan (Day-Lewis), and his father Giuseppe, expertly played by Pete Postlethwaite, who turns in an Oscar-type performance himself. The touching scenes between Gerry and his father, show how their relationship changes over the years.

Emma Thompson, as lawyer Gareth Pierce, is the one, however, who manages to unravel the government's reason for keeping these innocent prisoners locked up. Using a cunning devise, she manages to get the necessary details from official British documents, which allows her to prove the innocence of the prisoners. Thompson does a superb job, as she takes it on her own, without any coaxing by Gerry, to win this case.

Everyone should love the ending of this DVD, as justice is finally served, after 15 hard years in jail for the "Guildford Four."

Rating:
Summary: Compelling, True Story
Review: Gerry Conlon (Danie Day Lewis) was not an upstanding youth. He was a petty thief and layabout with little future. He was innocent, however, of the bombing of a London pub which killed four people in 1974. That did not stop an English court, however, from sending him, his father, and several other innocent men to prison.

What makes this story so compelling is that it is true. Conlon really did serve 15 years in a British prison for a crime he did not commit. His conviction was finally overturned in 1989, upon the revelation that evidence which proved his innocence was deliberately withheld by the government.

This film shows several chilling scenes where Conlon is psychologically and physically abused until he finally breaks down and confesses to the crime. He, along with the others, is then sentenced to a long prison term. As the presiding judge tells him, "I only wish I could sentence you to death."

After Gonlon and his father Giuseppe (Pete Postlethwaite) enter prison in when the film's best moments come. The way that the relationship between father and son grows and matures is a pleasure to watch. This is one of the most compelling and moving displays of father/son love that I have ever seen in a film. The acting by these two men is nothing short of brilliant.

Emma Thompson is also quite effective as the English defense attorney who works for their release. This is just another entry in a seemingly endless string of excellent performances by this gifted actress. She is an amazing talent.

Much was made when this film was first released of the liberties that writer-director Jim Sheridan took with the actual facts of the case. That may well be true, but for the purposes of the film it is not really relevant. This is not a documentary or journalistic report, and the facts are close enough. It is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging film.

Rating:
Summary: Amazingly Emotional
Review: Originally I bought this movie as part of a class I am taking called Northern Ireland Peace Process. The professor showed the video in class and I was so moved I bought it.

I literally wanted to throw my shoe through the TV out of frustration for the lead characters involved. Whate made it more frustrating, the fact it was based on a true story.

The movie caught the times of Belfast in the 70's when the violent Troubles began in the conflict. It's completely biased for the lead character but, it was his story and amazingly told. The entire way through the movie you were right there with him and cheering all the way.

I highly recommend this movie, but I also state that it is easy to get caught up in its emotions.

Rating:
Summary: In The Name of Cruelty
Review: This film shows the great injustices done by the British government against Irish native Gerry Conlan, his father Guiseppe, and the entire Conlan family. Takes place during the 1970's in terrorism torn Belfast and London. When Gerry and his friend Paul are falsely accused of being the IRA terrorists responsible for the bombing of the Guilford Pub which left five innocent victims dead, the police investigators use brute cruelty to force a confession by all of the accused. The Conlans are sentenced to terms in prison ranging from 4 years to life without parole. When Gerry's father, Guiseppe, dies in prison, Gerry sets out to clear his father's ( and his own) name. A touching real-life masterpiece that reveals a corrupt system of justice. A must see.

Rating:
Summary: FIND A DULL MOMENT IN THIS TERRIFIC DRAMA!
Review: During a spate of IRA-triggered bombings in the early 1970s in the UK, the beleaguered British government created a haphazard "Prevention of Terrorism Act" which allowed the arrest of any individual on the flimsiest of suspicions. When explosions rocked two pubs in Guildford (London?) a group of four Irish junkies -- Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day Lewis) and three others -- were wrongfully arrested in what we are led to believe was a miscarriage of justice.

The movie is based on Gerry's memoirs, so it cannot be passed off as impeccably "factual" but if some memories have been bent into formulaic shape for entertainment purposes, the truth still remains: these people were not murdering masterminds.

There are really two stories working in the film:

(1) The steamrolling of the "Guildford Four" by the British government; and
(2) The atavistic relationship between Gerry and his father Guiseppe while the two were in prison

Each of these stories would have made a taut and fascinating film by itself, but combined they are an incredible force. Gerry's interrogation is an immemorable moment in cinematic history, including disconcerting scenes of police officials watching the torture in silence.

The movie doesn't let up for a moment. The courtroom drama is clearly peripheral to the theme, but it provides some of the film's best moments. While some of the scenes in the latter half of the movie may seem a bit redundant (similar things happening over and over again in the prison life) all that is obscured by the sheer screen presence of Daniel Day Lewis. In fact, the only time you are not riveted by the all-round powerhouse acting is when U2's poignant background score has taken center stage.

An absolute must for fans of political films, and a terrific drama for the rest of us. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant, yet harrowing film
Review: "In the Name of the Father" is a brilliant and controversial movie which examines in some detail the case of the Guildford Four, and especially the case of Gerry and Giuseppe Conlon, who were wrongly convicted of bombing a pub in the town of Guildford, England, on October 5, 1974. This bombing, which took the lives of several innocent victims, was alleged to be part of an ongoing Irish Republican Army (IRA) campaign of terror that year. The convictions of the Guildford Four, it was later proved, were based on forced confessions, perjured testimony, and - at best - extremely scanty and questionable forensic evidence.

"In the Name of the Father" is a brilliant film on all levels. Daniel Day-Lewis turns in a tough, gritty, and realistic performance as the irrepressible Gerry Conlon - perhaps one of Day-Lewis' least known, but best movie performances ever. Pete Postlethwaite is magnificent as the gentle Giuseppe Conlon, who is the film's ultimate victim. And Emma Thompson rises to her usual level of brilliant acting as the tough-minded but emotional lawyer, Gareth Peirce.

This movie does not pretend at any point to be an objective examination of the Guildford Four case. It is a strong advocate for the innocence of the people involved, and an unsparing critic of the British legal and penal systems. Some of the points made in the film border on the hyperbolic - for example, the interjection of the fictional IRA terrorist "Joe McAndrew," to press home the point that the British government knew of the Guildford Four's innocence, but, fearing a loss of confidence by the British public, chose to ignore evidence which exonerated them. Still, the film does not suffer any loss of credibility by so blatantly taking sides in such a politically and emotionally charged issue.

This is one of those rare films which does three things very well. First: it entertains. This is a dramatic and exciting story, replete with wonderfully realistic characters that are easy to understand and relate to. Second: "In the Name of the Father" educates. Very seldom have I learned more about a particular time or set of circumstances than I have from this film. (I must note at this point that I was living in England in 1989 when this case came to a head. I followed news accounts of it with great interest.) Third: the movie persuades. It is both a scathing criticism of a legal and penal system gone awry, and an apt description of what can happen when a democratic system becomes afraid of its own people. At the same time, it's a wonderfully inspiring testimony to the ultimate strength of the human spirit in times when all seems nearly lost.

Rating:
Summary: In the Name of Daniel Day Lewis
Review: Daniel Day-Lewis, in another brilliant, Oscar-nominated performance. In the Name of the Father is a gritty, gut wrenching drama by the talented Irish film maker Jim Sheridan. Daniel Day-Lewis proves why he is so respected and revered as an actor. Though his role as Gerard Conlon received less press than his turn as Christy Brown in My Left Foot, or Bill the Butcher, in Gangs of New York, he bristles with intensity as the troubled Conlon. Day-Lewis proves why he is one of the finest actors of his generation. A true method actor, Day-Lewis is said to have gone through interrogations from police to lend true authenticity to the role. He has a rare and unequaled fire in his eyes that made me an immediate fan.I could simply not take my eyes off of him. He is not just another pretty face...although, what a face...he is without a doubt a very gifted actor.
Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite are just riviting on screen together. Their portrayl of father and son sings and stings with realism and sincerity.
This film has somehow gone largely unnoticed, however, it is a must see for those of you who enjoy a dose of reality with your drama.
Based on the book of the same name, written by Gerard Conlon himself, the movie does not cast a favorable light on the British Judicial system and their need to place blame on someone, despite their innocence. Your heart will break as you watch Guisseppe and Gerard fight for their case to be heard.
The movie, while placing focus on Day-Lewis's character, is an excellent forum for the wonderful character actor that Postlethwaite is. Their moments together are powerful and passionate. To find a better suited pair for father and son, one would indeed be hard pressed.
This film does exactly what it intended to do. 1. It creates and maintains a realistic relationship between father and son. Gerard's reaction when his father is imprisioned with him is a classic.
2. It is engaging. From begining to end this film will keep even the most hard-core action enthusiast engaged in the story.
3. It is honest. It does not sugar coat the facts as recalled by Conlon and it does not pretend to give a balanced view of events. Instead, it boldly makes a statement about profiling and what can happen when parinoia strikes those who are supposed to be objective and seek truth.
This film is a triumph.

Rating:
Summary: FIND A DULL MOMENT IN THIS TERRIFIC DRAMA!
Review: During a spate of IRA-triggered bombings in the early 1970s in the UK, the beleaguered British government created a haphazard "Prevention of Terrorism Act" which allowed the arrest of any individual on the flimsiest of suspicions. When explosions rocked two pubs in Guildford (London?) a group of four Irish junkies -- Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day Lewis) and three others -- were wrongfully arrested in what we are led to believe was a miscarriage of justice.

The movie is based on Gerry's memoirs, so it cannot be passed off as impeccably "factual" but if some memories have been bent into formulaic shape for entertainment purposes, the truth still remains: these people were not murdering masterminds.

There are really two stories working in the film:

(1) The steamrolling of the "Guildford Four" by the British government; and
(2) The atavistic relationship between Gerry and his father Guiseppe while the two were in prison

Each of these stories would have made a taut and fascinating film by itself, but combined they are an incredible force. Gerry's interrogation is an immemorable moment in cinematic history, including disconcerting scenes of police officials watching the torture in silence.

The movie doesn't let up for a moment. The courtroom drama is clearly peripheral to the theme, but it provides some of the film's best moments. While some of the scenes in the latter half of the movie may seem a bit redundant (similar things happening over and over again in the prison life) all that is obscured by the sheer screen presence of Daniel Day Lewis. In fact, the only time you are not riveted by the all-round powerhouse acting is when U2's poignant background score has taken center stage.

An absolute must for fans of political films, and a terrific drama for the rest of us. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Watchable But Predictable
Review: This snapshot about the wounds suffered by the Irish due to the British is an interesting enough story, with consistent acting (Daniel Day-Lewis and Emma Thopmpson) and realistic, credible direction from Jim Sheridan. It wisely avoids over-the-top melodrama and even provides some moving scenes of a father and son relationship. However, as the plot unfolds, the movie starts losing its interest and becomes a familiar, average story about innocent and falsely-accused prisoners. At times, it almost seems like an ordinary made-for-tv flick exposing a prison tale, and the unsurprising and expected ending doesn`t help much, either. It also drags for too long, repeating its ideas and failing to engage at some parts. Overall, it`s not a bad cinematic experience but it lacks the punch and wit that it should have, and ends up being not too memmorable as a result.
A somewhat worthy rental, still far from a must see.

Rating:
Summary: EXCELENT, HEART-BREAKING MOVIE
Review: I love this movie. Daniel Day Lewis shines as Gerry Conlon but it is Pete Postlewaite whose devastating perfromance just breaks your heart.
What the English Judicial System did to Conlon and specially to his family was no less than an infamy, however, if there is one thing I learned from this movie is that English prision guards have to be the most corteous in the whole world !