In the Name of the Father review

Number 205 on the top 1000 films of all time is Jim Sheridan's 1993 biopic In the Name of the Father. 

Based on the true story of Gerry Conlon and the Guildford Four, we see the lovable rogue Gerry Conlon, a Belfastian who along with three others are falsely imprisoned when the IRA bomb a pub in Guildford.

Would you believe that this is my very first Daniel Day-Lewis film? He plays Gerry Conlon, taking him on a great character arc from workshy layabout to charismatic hero. From humble beginnings stealing lead from the roofs of houses in Belfast, we see him evolve into a brave leader prepared to stand up for what's right.

And why is that? Because he and his friends have been horrifically betrayed by the British criminal justice system. Bullied into signing a false confession, by policemen keen to cut corners to secure a quick win, he is sentenced to life in prison.

But that isn't all. Conlon's family are also imprisoned under the erroneous idea that they're a support network for the IRA. This includes Conlon's father, Giuseppe, (Pete Poselthwaite.) Poselthwaite is always a formidable actor and he played very well off Day-Lewis, as the film explores their dysfunctional relationship. Giuseppe is a straight, hard-working bookkeeper, in contrast to his immature son, and he quickly disapproves of Gerry's growing relationship with IRA prisoner and true bomber of the pub, Joe McAndrew. But when Giuseppe dies in prison, in the midst of mounting an appeal, Gerry takes up his cause. Although this was somewhat predictable, it was still tragic.

Aided by the solicitor Gareth Pierce (Emma Thompson,) Conlon secures freedom for his friends. And Emma Thompson gave a great performance. The as she fought for her clients was plain to see. I also loved Trevor Jones' musical score. In the final scene after Conlon has secured his freedom, we hear Irish pipes play in the background. This was a small, but powerful touch.

If I were to criticise the film for anything, I would have liked to have seen more of a focus on the rest of the Guildford Four: Paul Hill (John Lynch,) Paddy Armstrong (Mark Sheppard) and Carole Richardson (Beatie Edney.) But I guess Gerry Conlon was always the focus. And of course Jim Sheridan was playing fast and loose with history to produce a powerful if doomy film.

And why was this Pete Poselthwaite's only Oscar-nominated performance? He was a fine actor and he deserved a few more Oscar nods. 

And you maybe wondering whether the true perpetrators for the Guildford pub bombing were ever arrested? No, despite McAndrew openly confessing that he did it, as God forbid the police admit they made a mistake. And were any police officers every punished for hiding evidence, obtaining confessions under duress that led to the false imprisonment of the Guildford Four? No. I am disappointed but not surprised.