In the Land of * * * * Saints and Sinners

I'm not much of a Film Festival fan because they are usually  overpriced and overcrowded with a disappointing selection.  This year's British Film Festival looks like it will meet my dour expectations, though there are a few exceptions which I will try and see. 

One thing I can't help but notice is that of the twenty odd films chosen, the greater majority are set in another time: the twenties, the seventies, the eighties - any time but today! The same with the documentaries, they're all about a nostalgic reflection, album covers from the 70's, Alfred Hitchcock.  That's not a criticism by the way, just an observation of British Film (and television).  They love the past! And I can't help but wonder, is it something to do with where the country is at today? 

 In the land of Saints and Sinners is part of the BFF.  It's an Irish Film set in the 1970's when trouble was a-plenty. Set in the beautiful area of County Donegal, it offers some of the prettiest landscapes I have seen since Pixie. 

In a small unpronounceable town we meet Finbar Murphy, retired man, book lover, smokes a pipe, best mate to the local cop, familiar face in the village pub, and (secretly) a hit man.  Finbar is not the only hit man in the village. The other is a much younger man, who Finbar doesn't much like, but they each do their own thing.

When Irish eyes are smiling...Watch out!

As far as the Catholic V Protestant division is concerned I'm not sure which side Finbar is on but, along with the other hit man, he has an agent who lives in a cute little white cottage by the sea. The agent gives Finbar money and then Finbar captures kills and buries the target. All we know is the target did bad things, like planting bombs that killed children etc. When it comes to harming children, Finbar would probably attend to the target for nothing. 

Three nutcases blow into town and they're kind of into planting bombs. The craziest of them is a psychopathic Irish lass named Doireann, played by Kerry Condon and showing a frightening other side to her acting skills.  Attached to the three psychopaths is Doireanns' useless brother.  He's also into bullying.  So when Finbar finds he has harmed a girl child in the village... well, he "attends" to him in his own way.  Doireann goes nuts!  Finbar says, "Bring it on, Bitch!" And all this happens in the week that Finbar told his agent and the other hit man that he is over it and doesn't want to work any more. Spoke too soon.

Surprisingly there is plenty of humour in this rather bloody film, and the Irish charm shines through. The re-creation of the era is very good and there are more than a few edge of the seat moments.  

To play Finbar I guess they had to look around for a fit looking retired Irishman who could be convincing as a hit man and also be a box office drawer.... Hello Liam!  He actually does a very good job and it's nice to see him working in his land of origin.