An Irish shepherding family thrust into battle on several fronts: internal strife, hostility within the family, rivalry with another farmer. Paternalism, heritage, and the generational trauma cycle through the cultural prism of Ireland.
Chuck says:
Two of today’s finest young actors, Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan, anchor Chris Edwards’ Isrish-based revenge tale, a film that unexpectedly switches gears mid-way through to provide a new perspective to all that’s come before.
Michael (Abbott) lives with his cantankerous father (Colm Meaney) on a sheep farm that shares land with a neighboring farmer. That would be Gary (Paul Ready), who’s married to Michael’s ex-fiancee (Nora Jane Noone). Their son, Jack (Keoghan), is a restless one whose quiet demeanor casts a mystery about him that intensifies as the film progresses.
When two of Michael’s prize rams go missing and are found on Gary’s farm, this brings to the fore long-held resentments between the men. It’s no surprise that violence erupts between them, though the real reason behind why the rams went missing, is a shocker.
The script by Jonathan Hourigan and Edwards seems haphazardly constructed at first. Concentrating on Michael’s history and motivation, key pieces of information regarding his past seem missing. That is, until the film’s second hour which switches to Jack’s perspective,a move that fills in the narrative gaps, as well as providing a fresh point-of-view to the story.
As with any well-constructed drama, we’re made to understand each’s characters’ reasons behind what they do. Be warned, some the actions undertaken are violent and infuriating. While we may not agree with the path Michael and Jack choose, we understand why they act as they do. In the end, dire financial concerns are the motivating factor behind this gripping, cautionary tale, one bolstered by strong performances and an uncompromising look at how easy it is to succumb to our worst impulses.
3 1/2 Stars
