> Five Minutes of Heaven
Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Cast: Liam Neeson, James Nesbitt, Mark David, Barry McEvoy, Anamaria Marinca, Paula McFetridge, Richard Orr
Rating: (M)
4 stars (out of 5)
Reviewed by Christine Powley
Movies are not a particularly reflective medium.
In film, if you have a problem, the best solution is to go Dirty Harry on it.
Yet now and again a film comes along that explores what happens once the last bullet has been fired.
Five Minutes of Heaven (Rialto) is about the aftermath of The Troubles in Ireland.
In 1975, 16-year-old Alistair Little (Mark David) shot a Catholic to make a name for himself. The murder was witnessed by the murdered man's 11-year-old brother.
Little goes to prison, is rehabilitated and becomes a motivational speaker.
The adult Little (Liam Neeson) seems to have done all right out of his crime.
For Joe Griffin (James Nesbitt), his world fell apart.
His brother's murder led to the deaths of his parents and another brother in quick succession.
He is bitter and twisted and no-one has tried to help him cope.
Then both men are contacted by a television programme devoted to bringing people from both sides together.
The television people want to film two grown men shake hands and cry a little.
Little seems to want to atone in some way and Griffin wants revenge.
The incompatibility between the three desires is dealt with in a taut narrative that mostly avoids movie bravado.
Best thing: This is a film with the confidence to largely go without a musical score.
Worst thing: It is trying to be reflective and honest but still resorts to a climactic fight scene.
See it with: People who like to pretend they are Irish on St Patrick's Day.
