The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
Features  |  Reviews
FIND MOVIES
Find a Movie
Movie List
Loading ...
or
Find Theaters and Movie Times
or
Search Movies

The Wind that Shakes the Barley

Shakes class lines
By CHRIS WANGLER  |  March 15, 2007
3.5 3.5 Stars

VIDEO: Watch the trailer for The Wind that Shakes the Barley

“With breaking heart when e’er I hear the wind that shakes the barley.”

The Palme d’Or winner at Cannes 2006, Ken Loach’s drama explores the tensions within an IRA guerrilla unit during the rebellion of 1920-’21. Two brothers (Cillian Murphy and Padraic Delaney), initially compatriots in a series of brazen ambushes, end up on opposing sides after the Republican leaders sign what some perceive as an unequal treaty with the British. The diminutive Murphy is powerfully understated as a conflicted medical student expected to commit acts of brutal violence; his patriotic speeches sparkle. Behind him is a cast of Loachian characters (teenage soldiers, farmhands, maids) who give voice to the director’s socialist reading of history. Although unfairly anti-British (the Black and Tans seem worse than Nazis), this is class-based filmmaking at its very best — a kind of rural counterpart to Neil Jordan’s film Michael Collins, with timely lessons about terrorism, poverty, and the long shadows of empire.
Related: Spring loaded, Review: Fifty Dead Men Walking, Sound bites, More more >
  Topics: Reviews , Entertainment, Movies, Entertainment Awards,  More more >
  • Share:
  • Share this entry with Facebook
  • Share this entry with Digg
  • Share this entry with Delicious
  • RSS feed
  • Email this article to a friend
  • Print this article
Comments
The Wind that Shakes the Barley
I haven't seen this movie yet, but save me a seat, ok? Oh, and popcorn and sprite would be peachy, 2...(nice)...
By meeshell_1 on 03/21/2007 at 9:59:20

ARTICLES BY CHRIS WANGLER
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   REVIEW: CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE  |  April 21, 2009
    Chinese triads. Corey Haim. Porn actors on strike. REO Speedwagon. Yes, the creators of this nearly unwatchable sequel will use anything to achieve their twisted goal: to shock ADHD teenagers.
  •   REVIEW: SUNSHINE CLEANING  |  March 18, 2009
    What lifts this tasty little dramedy above Sundance mediocrity is a pathos that overcomes all the "quirky" dysfunctional contrivance.
  •   REVIEW: PUSH  |  February 11, 2009
    Teens with special powers? A government conspiracy?
  •   REVIEW: CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA  |  January 13, 2009
    Director Nikhil Advani's quirky Chinese-Indian collaboration is the widest release ever of a Bollywood film, and the first ever kung fu Bollywood comedy.
  •   CADILLAC RECORDS  |  December 12, 2008
    Cadillac Records writer/director Darnell Martin lets the music speak for itself

 See all articles by: CHRIS WANGLER

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group