With thoughts of St. Patrick’s Day still swimming in my head, I bestow onto you some cherished recommendations from her beloved Irish shores. Irish history is full of contemplative poets and tenacious combatants. Its thoughtful citizens have never cowered from fighting for their beliefs.

The very richness of Irish culture is captured in these two fine films.

The Field

The Field (1990) is directed by Jim Sheridan and stars Richard Harris. The film also features John Hurt in a fantastic supporting role. The Field is presented as a classical tragedy, where an unyielding man invariably succumbs to his resolute value system.

It combines the array of literary struggles, i.e., man vs. nature, man and self. And the most noble of virtues, love, is contemplated as well. The Field is a very rewarding watch.

The Crying Game

The Crying Game (1992) is directed by Neil Jordan and stars Stephen Rea. Forest Whitaker also shines in a much smaller, but invaluable supporting role. A high stakes covert action conducted by a guerrilla IRA militia starts the film. Semireluctant acts of humanity move the The Crying Game from psychological thriller into territories of tender desire and weave it through the thorny difficulties of love. The result is a film that is rich and thick in the very best of ways.

Until next time, I hope you have a great viewing experience.  Comments are welcomed at cinespire@gmail.com.