IN THE LAND OF SAINTS AND SINNERS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently playing in theatres from director Robert Lorenz and Samuel Goldwyn Films is the story of a fight for a small town in THE LAND OF SAINTS AND SINNERS.   

It is Northern Ireland in 1974 and in Belfast, Doirean (Kerry Condon), brother Curtis (Desmond Eastwood), Conan (Conor MacNeill) and Seamus (Seamus O’Hara) have killed their target but also killed innocent children. Eager to leave his own killer past behind, Finbar Murphy (Liam Neeson) has found some solace in the coastal town of Glencolmcille.

Informing Robert McQue (Colm Meaney) of his retirement, Finbar is taking time to befriend neighbor Rita (Niamh Cusack), hanging out with police friend Vincent (Ciaran Hinds) and young one Moya (Michelle Gleeson). Quickly discovering that Moya is being hurt, he tries to talk with mom Sinead (Sarah Greene) but realizes this is something he is going to have to handle.

Discovering it is Curtis that Moya is afraid of, Finbar turns to McQue who says no but secretly sends his newest apprentice Kevin Lynch (Jack Gleeson) to keep an eye on him. Doirean begins to search for Curtis and turns to the McQue for answers. When she doesn’t like what he has to say, Doirean enlists Conan and Seamus on a revenge spree until she finds the one man she is looking for – Finbar Murphy!

Neeson as Murphy once again takes the reigns as a man, who the local towns people thinks buys and sells books, who has secrets to keep. As he gets older, the questions of how he wants to spend the rest of his life come into play. Once retiring, he turns to his friendships, books and the town for a bit of peace in his life. Neeson comes head-to-head with bad guys and isn’t about to let the town pay for his mistakes. I enjoyed this character very much, perhaps because it is in Ireland where part of my heart lies, or perhaps all the Irish accents – no matter, it is a very cool film with Neeson running the show.

Condon as Doirean is a woman that has no issue with telling it like it is going to be, punching or shooting anyone that gets in her way. Believing she is fighting for Ireland, that all comes to a standstill when her family is being threatened. I will be totally honest when I saw that Condon’s character was frightening as she spoke with a straight face and never became shook up at any point in the story. I mean my jaw dropped but there Condon was, all in it and all about it – truly scary.

Hinds as Vincent plays off Neeson’s character as if they had been friends all their lives. When these two legends are on the screen, it made me wish they would do more together because they are equally stunning. As Vincent, Hinds is a man who loves the town he protects but doesn’t know everything he should.

Gleeson as Kevin, oh my goodness what can I say! First of all, those eyes, it is a dead giveaway who this young actor is no matter how much he tried to change it up. That being said, he is absolutely nuts but in a way that just gave this character everything believable to follow along with Kevin’s own journey.

Eastwood as Curtis is a young man who thinks that he is entitled to do anything because big sister will protect him. MacNeill as Conan is the muscle that will do what it takes to get the job done but flinches occasionally. O’Hara is a weapons maker and it always kind of makes me shake my head when a creator comes face to face with his creations.

Cusak as Rita is the sweet neighbor lady who is dealing with her own life issues, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have time for her friend Finbar. Meany as McQue runs his little death business and manages to keep it low-key but low-key doesn’t always mean protected from crazy people. Gleeson as Moya is so sweet and finds friendship with Finbar, Greene as Sinead is trying to be a good Mom doing the best she can.

Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major, independent motion-picture company distrubting such films as ANOTHER ROUND, THE MAN WHO SOLD HIS SKIN, LUNANA: A Yak in the Classroom and the upcoming film SIMONE: Woman of the Century, KLONDIKE and BANK OF DAVE.

Facing East is a production company formed in 2016 by Markus Barmettler and Philip Lee. The veteran duo boasts over twenty productions between them including THE REVENANT, CLOUD ATLAS, HERO, CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON, PURPLE MOUNTAIN AND DER HAUPTMAN. They are currently in collaboration with London Town Films THE UNTITLED PETER GREENAWAY and Michael Gracey’s BETTER MAN.

First, I must say, the lush green, beautiful ocean and small town portrayed in the film IN THE LAND OF SINNERS AND SAINTS just drew me in completely. I actually enjoy films that take a break from the norm of loudness in film. Here, it is a chance to get to know these characters and understand the motivation for each of them. This era is a time when Ireland was going through its paces and bombings were happening frequently.

The underlying story is that of a man who is coming into an age of questioning mortality and wanting a simpler life. Unfortunately, as per Neeson’s roles, Murphy doesn’t get to stay in retirement more than a day before things begin to unravel around him. It is a twist and turn of events, and the twist and turn of people that bring about the chaos that Murphy is determined to put a stop to.

Neeson, Hinds and Gleeson, along with the steely stares of Condon that make this film well done!

In the end – he is haunted by sins and hunted by sinners!