This Irish film based loosely on Kevin Power’s book Bad Day in Blackrock, shows teenager Kevin, who lives a fairly typical teenage life with his group of friends, when a random act of violence inspired by jealousy over his girlfriend, changes all of their lives. He is forced to question his conscience and live with the consequences of his actions.
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Year of release: 2012
Director: Lenny Abrahamson
Writer: Kevin Power (book), Malcolm Campbell
Main cast: Jack Reynor, Gavin Drea, Patrick Gibson, Sam Keeley, Roisin Murphy, Lars Mikkelsen
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Genre: Drama
Highlights: The brooding atmosphere, clever use of silence
Lowlights: None really but this is not a film to watch if you are in need of being cheered up!
Overall: Not for everyone, as for large portions of the film not much actually happens. I like how it viewed the effect of a violent act on the perpetrator rather than on the victims. It’s bleak but strangely compelling viewing
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