Movie Review: Bring Them Down

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

A dark but excellent drama from Ireland. 

This movie is never pleasant to watch, however it is one that will stay with you long after the credits. This is mainly due to the characters themselves. Though this film is about a conflict between two families turning violent, it doesn't take anyone's side or give us any clear human or villain. These are normal people, who may do bad things but still are not without a conscience. One of the most disturbing scenes of this film (one that is extremely difficult to watch) ends with one of the characters responsible being horrified and left speechless by his own actions. After this we are forced to confront whether or not we can ever forgive and care about this character again after what he did. Our choice of whether we can forgive him or not changes how we will view the rest of the film. Other characters who start off very likable, show very dark sides before the film finishes. Yet what scares us about each of these characters is how much we can see of ourselves in them, even the darkest parts. Because of this we connect to these characters and become emotionally invested in this story, even if none of the characters are traditionally likable. 

Like many of the best Irish films, this movie takes full advantage of its Irish setting. Set in the Irish countryside, this movie perfectly uses the contrast of beauty of this setting and the darkness of the story to create something even more disturbing. At the same time, it uses the quietness and emptiness of this setting to make us feel the same isolation and desperation that these characters do. First time director Chris Andrews (who also co-wrote this film) has previously worked as a cameraman and that experience shows in the wonderful shots that make up this film. 

The filmmaker's Rashomon-like decision to tell this story first from one point of view followed by another doesn't fully work. Mostly because while the shift to the second point of view fills in a few story points, it does not change the way we viewed anything that happened. Because of this, this method of storytelling does not add anything to movie. Instead, this movie would have worked the same (if not better) if it had been told in a more linear fashion. This decision can also make this film drag towards the mid-section. 

This may not be a pleasant movie at all, and many might find it too hard to watch. However, the complex way this movie presents its characters and the great visual storytelling make this an excellent film for the right audience.