Five Minutes of Heaven (2009)
Starring Liam Neeson and James Nesbit
Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel
Everyone knows of the Protestant-Catholic tensions in Ireland during the latter half of the twentieth century. While Five Minutes of Heaven is not even remotely close to a history lesson on that turbulent issue, it provides a human perspective that was both refreshing and heartbreaking.
As a young boy, (Catholic) Joe witnesses the teenage (Protestant) "gang" member Alistair brutally murder his older brother.
Cut to twenty-five years later and a local news show wants to do a piece bringing the adult Joe (James Nesbit) and Alistair (Liam Neeson) together to do a one-on-one interview where they could express their thoughts to one another (in front of millions). While both agree to the meeting, it's soon evident that the two men are each dealing with demons of their own. Alistair, who went to prison for his crimes, has turned into somewhat of a motivational speaker, trying to spread the word of peace to all. While he has moved on, Alistair can't help but regret his wrongdoings. Joe, meanwhile, is stuck in the past. Haunted by memories of a mother who blamed him for his older brother's death and a family that fell into shambles shortly after the murder, Joe perhaps has crueler intentions for this meeting -- a little retribution may be in store.
Overall, this little film was very impressive. Both Neeson and Nesbitt are wonderful. It's essentially a two-man show over its brisk eighty-five minute running time and they both held my attention the whole way through (kudos to the director). There really wasn't a false note to me in either of their characters -- the revenge, the grief, and the pain all resonated genuinely.
The RyMickey Rating: B+
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