In the Name of the Father
Directed by Jim Sheridan
UK, 1993
Cornerhouse, 23 March 2011
Still from In the Name of the Father
The film tells the story of Gerry Conlon, one of the Guildford Four.
It is a vivid, effective account, graced by some fine performances, notably from Daniel Day-Lewis as Gerry and the late Pete Postlethwaite as his father Giuseppe.
Jim Sheridan’s inventiveness as a director comes into its own in his depiction of riots: street riots, commotions in court, prison riots. Sure he’s your man if you want to film a riot.
There are some nice touches of Irish Catholic humour and behaviour, which anyone who’s been blessed with a grandmother who’s had a portrait of the Pope above her mantle-piece will appreciate. As a for instance, Gerry is told by his mother to wear his Sunday best when he appears in court.
Whatever faults the film has – there’s an occasional superficiality – are due to the genre and the limitations of the medium withal. You cannot expect all the detail of a judicial enquiry, now can you?
A fine film.
