Here's a really good, powerful drama. 2010's White Irish Drinkers, was written and directed by John Gray.
In 1975, two brothers struggle to get away from their abusive, alcoholic father, well-intentioned mother and blue-collar, Irish neighborhood. Brian, the younger, artistic and sensitive brother, has mixed feelings about Danny's plan to steal their way to freedom.
The acting is fantastic! A couple relative newcomers play the brothers - Nick Thurston and Geoffrey Wigdor. Stephen Lang (Avatar, Manhunter) and Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark) play the parents. And even the supporting cast is great, most notably Peter Riegert (Animal House).
The writing and direction are almost as great. There's only one scene I found a little fault with. The scene's message still gets through, but it could have - should have - been more compelling. I thought. Otherwise, I think it was very well done.
I really liked the soundtrack also. (No disco in 1975 working-class Brooklyn!)
All that said, this is not the easiest movie to sit through, A lot of that is purely expectations. But it is gritty and emotional.
So watch this. Take a couple 5-minute breaks as I did if you need to. But watch it.
It is well worth it!
Practically everything I've seen since March I've rated Three Stars (Liked it) on Netflix. But that is only because Two Stars would mean I didn't like it and they won't let me rate anything at Two and a Half: Meeehh, it was OK, But here's what I woulda done with it...
FINALLY, here's one I'm actually willing to say that I liked enough to endorse by putting it on my blog.
The Ledge (2011) is about a man (Charlie Hunnam, from Sons of Anarchy) who steps out on a building's ledge and the officer (Terrance Howard) who's intent to stop him from jumping. They get into theological discussions, meaning of life issues...good drama ensues. It's billed as a thriller, but it's more of a good drama.
The cast is brilliant. Hunnam, Howard, Liv Tyler and Patrick Wilson are all fantastic. The script, editing, and directing are all on target. (btw, this was produced by Norman Mailer's son.)
I found myself much more emotionally invested than I thought I would. (Especially considering Liv Tyler is the female lead! Not a fan, but she's better than OK in this! [Can't believe I printed that!]) This involvement could be the result of my political likeness and similar temperament of the lead character. But I watched it with someone who doesn't necessarily share my theological/philosophical tendencies and we both liked it.
The best compliment I can give: I'm still thinking about it 24+ hrs after viewing.
