Go-Ape Blog

The visuals are rarely less than amazing and the whole concept of the film is brilliant to be honest.  One brother must kill his older, more volatile brother in order to save his younger, more innocent brother from death.  There are some truely brutal sequences in this film so if you are of a delicate nature then it might not exactly be the best film for you, but it is amazing so I'd advise you watch it.  It is also something to behold as Ray Winstone  plays a somewhat decent and loving character which I am yet to see him play in any other film - he's generally a bad guy or and arsehole.  The film has some great acting in it and they all suit thier roles perfectly with some people cast wonderfully against thier usual characters.  No longer typecast, the performances are strong and the film gives you an experience that most other films won't in this day.  

It is such a shame that so few of the actors involved in this went on to do anything else.  But that is the industries loss I suppose.  The film has an outstanding soundtrack with some truely staggering vocals.  I love the character of Deco because he is just such a total bastard but he is a great point of comedy within the film as the person everybody loves to hate.  This is a laugh out loud film, and also maintains Doyle's original points about the unemployment in Dublin what with the arguement that "we're a fuckin' third world county".  

This is masterpiece of cinema, and well worth a view.  I would say that this film is one of the top 50 films and possibly the best film (that I've seen) that's come out of Ireland.  

It is witty and funny in places but it also deals with some more interesting themes and issues such as the internet culture and chat rooms etc. wherein his very young son makes a date with a woman who is into some rather strange things through something he saw as a joke.  I like how the relationships between the characters build throughout thr film, especially the bond between the two kids cause the older brother takes time to help his younger brother and messes around with him - supplying some support that seems missing from his father.  

All in all, I think it's a good film that's well worth a watch but be aware that it is not an overly cheerful film, but it is interesting and heart-warming.