50/43
Saoirse Ronan and Harris Dickinson previously starred in See How They Run (2022) together
Narrative
Follow the stories of a group of Londoners during the events of the British capital bombing in World War II.. London Film Festival last night for the premiere of Steve McQueen’s new film, Blitz.
A Hans Zimmer score too, with his absolute mastery of letting you know something is about to happen, but you’re never quite sure what
Simply outstanding. Young Elliott Heffernan delivering a monumentally assured and sincere performance, Sairse Ronan as great as ever, and an ensemble cast of much loved British actors Stephen Graham, Kathy Burke, Benjamin Clementine and possibly my fave left-field piece of casting in recent history with Paul Weller as piano playing, loving grandad.
You don’t see or hear the enemy, just the bombs and the air raid sirens warning of them
The film can feel big and epic at times and yet entirely localized and intimate at others as you go from swathes of London on fire to intimate London street scenes, front rooms and many small shops and businesses. Full of fear and hope, singing in the underground to keep spirits up, sisterhood in the bomb factory, selfless characters looking out for those they don’t know (take tissues).
Best seen on a big screen with big sound
The diversity in the film reflects what London was like in 1940, and you’ve never seen it like that on film before. An ever timely reminder that those who divide society destroy society.
I can’t wait to see it again
I hope it gets what it deserves come awards season, achievement in directing #2 for SMQ a definite possibility.
