’71 Movie review

’71 (R)
Released by Roadside Attractions
Review by Adam Mast

’71 is that rare film about conflict that chooses to not take a side, and it’s all the more powerful for it. I was fortunate enough to see this gripping movie at Sundance last month, and I haven’t been able to shake it from brain. It is, quite simply, an unforgettable experience.

In ’71, Jack O’Connell (UNBROKEN) is sensational as Gary Hook, a British soldier caught in a war-torn Belfast during the Troubles. As Gary struggles to survive the night while behind enemy lines, he soon finds himself face-to-face with members of the IRA, shifty law officials, a street wise child trapped in a world he can’t escape, and a pair of locals who find more value in human life than they do in a political cause.

Once again, part of the reason that ’71 resonates so deeply is that it refuses to take a side. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to suggest that this is a movie that shows good and bad on both sides.

O’Connell is beautifully understated here as a wounded soldier, and even though he has very little dialogue, this terrific actor is able to convey the severity of his situation through his worn down body language. This is a great performance, even stronger than his much buzzed about work in UNBROKEN.

Brilliant director Yann Demange and his equally talented screenwriter, Gregory Burke, have fashioned a film that is as intense as it is authentic. ’71 is shot with meticulous detail and absolute precision. It is a provocative message movie about war and violence, and while it’s certainly hard hitting, it isn’t without humanity. It should be noted that this movie also works as a nail biting thriller of the highest order.

In short, I was riveted by ’71 from beginning to end, and I’ll be really surprised if it doesn’t end up finding a spot on my “Best Films of 2015” list come next January.

’71 opens in limited release on Friday, Feb. 27, but I suspect that strong word-of-mouth will ensure a wider release in the coming weeks. Look for it!

DON’T MISS THIS MOVIE!

Adam Mast

Adam Mast has been a lifelong film enthusiast dating back to age 6 when his parents took him to see a little movie called JAWS at a drive-in theater in Northern California. This would lead him to several writing stints for various publications and outlets. Mast would also have a hand in several film projects of various shapes and sizes. In 2014, Mast would join forces with colleague John Pugh to create Cinemast.net as a means discuss film from a fan and analytical perspective. Together, Mast and Pugh would also create the 501 (C)(3) nonprofit, Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU) in 2017. FMASU’s mission is to encourage, inspire and educate filmmaking talent and to preserve film history. Adam currently resides in southern Utah with his amazing wife, Tonja, and their four wonderful children.