It’s exactly the sort of moviegoers often wish for – strikingly original, with a well-constructed story, gorgeous visuals, exceptional acting, and a narrative rooted in the director’s own life, Sir Kenneth Branagh, accompanied by music from Van Morrison. Fundamentally, it portrays the development of a young person during "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. The protagonist has an intense passion for film and stage, fo…

Belfast contains many memorable visuals—captured with Haris Zambarloukos's impressive black-and-white cinematography (with occasional color sequences highlighting moments of escape through film and television)—starting with an early scene where the young protagonist, Buddy (Jude Hill), wielding a wooden sword and a shield fashioned from a dumpster lid, faces off against a group of unionist protestors who are there to…

This is a charming film. Even though I don’t have any personal experience with what’s happening in *'Belfast'*, it’s an enjoyable movie to watch—despite dealing with some difficult real-life situations. At roughly 90 minutes, the 2021 release has a lot of warmth and humor; I found myself laughing quite often. Young Jude Hill is really the standout, delivering a wonderful performance as Buddy, which is remarkabl…

I really hoped I’d enjoy this more than I did; it’s perfectly acceptable, but it didn’t connect with me on a deeper level. The setting feels constrained, almost like a play unfolding entirely on a single street. While I get that the intention was to portray things from a child's perspective, there wasn’t much substance to grasp onto. Important topics and discussions felt rushed, and yet 'Belfast' drags in the middle …