"The Journey" A Memorable Trip

July 6th, 2017 Posted by Review 0 thoughts on “"The Journey" A Memorable Trip”

 

The Journey

What happens behind closed doors of political conversations is always anyone’s guess.  Writer Colin Bateman and director Nick Hamm create the possible conversation between two warring political leaders which eventually resulted in a peace agreement which holds today.  The leaders?  Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness.  During an unusual circumstance, the two are forced into the closed quarters of a car trip, giving them an opportunity to not just dispute political positions, but to understand one another.  It’s an insightful and entertaining situation with stellar performances by Timothy Spall as Paisley and Colm Meaney as McGuinness.  Who knows?  This may have truly been what happened.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

The film gives us an historical overview of the constant warring and turmoil between the Catholics and the Protestants in Northern Ireland, not long ago.  The two political party leaders could never discuss anything, creating this long and on-going volatile situation to remain.  Lives were lost and no hope for reconciliation seemed to be on the horizon.  Miraculously, the two buried the hatchet and hammered out a peace accord, and even became friends.  It was an unlikely story that unfolds in the new movie, “The Journey.”

Blurring the lines between fact and fiction creates a remarkable tale delving into the psychology of two very diverse men.  Their history and personalities couldn’t be any more different and their journey, both physically, emotionally, and cognitively, finds a way to paint a clear picture of the strength and resilience they have both counted on to lead their followers.  The cinematic style creates a passenger seat in the car in which the viewer sits.  We watch with anxiety and anticipation as the two, always at an impasse and stubborn as mules, break down the wall, brick by brick, to actually see the possibilities that lie ahead.  Their legacy is at the forefront of these aging men, realizing that they could each do what was deemed the impossible.

The entire film is about these radically different two men.  Finding the right men to portray Paisley and  McGuinness was crucial to the success of the story and movie—there is no question that Meaney and Spall BECAME their characters, using  not only their physical similarities, but capturing their speech patterns and mannerisms.  Spall’s body stiffness corresponds directly to the character’s mental inflexibility and his rigid personal beliefs.  His speech, almost unrecognizable, is a perfect impersonation, right down to the pauses and cadence.  Meaney’s portrayal is everything we think of as Irish.  His personality is larger than life, enjoying every aspect of it, yet recognizing the importance of his role.

Spall allows his character’s thick skin to be slowly buffed away, but only for moments.  It’s the twinkle in his eyes that reveals so much more.  The two actors are stellar together, recreating the personalities and what may have actually occurred.

Creating tension and the real-time feel of conversation between the men is attributed to the deft direction and insightful writing.  When you know the end of a story, it’s difficult to capture this, but “The Journey” is simply gripping.  The irony of the situation along with the willing spectators who concocted the situation are sitting on the precipice of peace, giving even more anxiety to the unfolding situation.  Their amazement becomes the viewers’. The uneasy laughter and the frustration each men exhibits strikes a chord from within, allowing you to identify with each of them, even if it is only in some small way.  But most importantly, this film gives you a glimpse into the human aspect of negotiations, mediation, and compromise within the world of politics.

“The Journey” is a wonderful amalgam of history and fiction, giving us food for thought and greater understanding for what happened to bring peace to Northern Ireland.  Spall and Meaney are splendid as they bring these men to life thanks to intriguing  and succinct writing and skillful direction.

“The Journey” is opening at the AMC River East and the Landmark Theaters in Chicago.  It’s a trip worth taking!

 

 

 

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