The certainty of a film’s Oscar success can be a deterrent by Oscar night. Over the past few years, we’ve seen movies like La La Land and 1917 dominate the Oscar season until the Best Picture envelope was opened. In the case of La La Land, it won Picture until it didn’t. The endgame of the season is always finishing first but not always starting in the pole position. In the case of this year’s awards race, the certainty as mentioned above factor has been placed on the shoulder of the latest Sir Kenneth Branagh film, Belfast. It’s a film that perfectly captures the escapism of cinema and the everlasting love of family.
Belfast is a semi-autobiographical film about a working-class family and their youngest son living in Belfast, Ireland during the Northern Ireland Conflict (The Troubles) in the late 1960s. Cinephiles are guided into this world through the eyes of Buddy, as he comes of age before our eyes throughout interactions at school, with his parents and grandparents as they offer him advice on everyday life.
There is little doubt that Branagh’s screenplay is full of heart and personal nuance that aids in the film’s effectiveness. While simplistic by nature, every moment in Belfast leaves an impact on the viewer. In addition, Branagh’s childhood memories splash the screen, including nods to the eventual Marvel Cinematic Universe entry he eventually went on to direct.
The ensemble of the film is one of the best of the year. Jamie Dornan steps out of the stigma of the 50 Shades of Grey franchise as he brings a magnetic presence to Belfast, including a final number near the film’s conclusion that stands as the best last 15 minutes of a film this year. Dame Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds make it quite hard not to fall in love with Granny and Pops.
Then there’s Jude Hill and Caitríona Balfe. Balfe and Hill are tour de forces in the film and provide some of Belfast‘s most impactful, heartfelt moments. In a similar fashion to Woody Norman in C’mon C’mon, Hill is a revelation and gives one the best performances of the year, while Balfe’s charm and charisma explode on the screen. Even in the film’s most difficult moments, Balfe evokes the spirit and determination of the family’s matriarch that may lead her to both an Oscar nomination and win.
2021 may be remembered as the year of the black and white film, and Haris Zamabarloukos’s work on Belfast will be one of the talking points of these films. Belfast is beautiful to look at as Zamabarloukos’s lens aids in the escapism that is cinema, such as the small moments where the family watches movies like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance or when Buddy experiences Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the first time. It was at that moment that a filmmaker was born.
Belfast is an intimate coming-of-age story that will leave you in tears. The final 15-20 minutes of the film are spellbinding. With a dance sequence that has you believing in the everlasting love of family and a last shot that will leave you in tears, Belfast is not just one of the best films of the year but also a bonafide Best Picture front runner.
