I was really mystified when this landed in my hands from Netflix. Then I realized why I’d received it – I hadn’t done my normal Netflix reshuffling and this had worked its way up to the top of the queue.
I had always meant to watch Michael Collins again. I saw it a few years ago and left it feeling that it was a decent film but not feeling like I wanted to watch it again any time soon, considering it made me cry buckets of tears (which is difficult to make me do, and I have only now remembered my lengthy, post-Michael Collins crying session).
Making a movie about Michael Collins would be difficult, one should think, given the gravity of the time and place in which Collins lived, and the kind of life Collins led. It certainly didn’t stop them from making one, though.
By all accounts, Collins was a pretty fearsome guy. From Wikipedia:
In retrospect, the sheer scale of Collins’ workload and his achievements are substantial. He created a special assassination squad called The Twelve Apostles designed to kill British agents; arranged the “National Loan”; organised the IRA; effectively led the government when [Eamon] de Valera travelled to and remained in the United States for an extended period of time; and managed an arms-smuggling operation.
Damn, dude. All judgments aside, that’s a lot to do, especially when you take into consideration that Collins was shot and killed when he was 31. Of course, this movie benefits from having Liam Neeson in it, if we’re taking my pure shallowness into consideration. And believe me, Mr. Neeson is smoking hot in this one, but I had forgotten that my arch-nemesis was in this movie.
JULIA ROBERTS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THIS MOVIE?
In a movie chock filled with every semi-known Irish actor you can think of for the time, including Neeson, Brendan Gleeson, Stephen Rea, Aidan Quinn and lots of other people, Julia Roberts was the best choice to play Kitty Kiernan, the love interest for both Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn) and Michael Collins?
No, really?
It’s not that I detest Julia Roberts; I just got really, sickeningly tired of her a long time ago and she doesn’t do much to hold anyone’s interest in this movie. She’s just sort of there, like a robot helping to move the film along bit by bit.
As far as sheer movie-making goes, it’s a very well-done film from the standpoint of ignoring the history bits. It starts out in 1916 during the Easter Rising and travels all the way to Collins’ assassination, thereby skipping the early life of Michael Collins and picking up pretty much where he starts doing all those big things he’s still remembered for. Neil Jordan, the director, pulls the right strings appropriately to get your emotions going in a very deft way. The acting doesn’t really need any comment as I’m sure you can assume everyone’s spot on, which they are. Besides Julia Roberts, the only sore spot is the way Alan Rickman speaks as Eamon de Valera, which is slow and stilting. You’re always anticipating the next syllable to come out of his mouth. It’s extremely irritating, and I think the film kind of portrays de Valera as a schemer and a slow, conservative man who’s not quite as righteous nor as forward thinking as Collins. In essence, the film plays up Collins but even more plays down de Valera. Whether or not this is historically accurate, I can’t honestly say – but it does feel like de Valera’s made a little awkwardly villainous to accentuate or highlight more positive elements of Collins’ character.
And, at the very least, Michael Collins did remind me of why I scowl a little when I initially see Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.
JONATHAN RHYS-MEYERS KILLED LIAM NEESON, YOU GUYS. Nowadays, I just look at him and think, “Really? Joe from Bend It Like Beckham was the guy that took down Michael Collins? Runs like a girl? Wore makeup in Velvet Goldmine? He’s supposed to be hardcore enough to shoot Michael Collins?”
Snerk.
For what it’s worth, it’s a good movie in my opinion that is interesting. It does kind of canonize Collins and portrays him as so heroic in a way that makes you wonder if you’re getting the whole story (and surely not everyone finds Michael Collins to be how the film portrays him). However, it is entertaining but extremely depressing. For God’s sakes, I may never be able to watch anything with Stephen Rea ever again without crying.
I had no idea who Michael Collins was when I started reading your post, but the movie sounds awesome.
And from what I gather: He was big-time into something governmental, assasination-worth governmental? Perhaps a revolutionary? And this movie is full of Irish actors so Irish revolutionar–
I’m just going to stop right here. Tear-worthy, you say? With an excellent post on your blog? Clearly, a must see (and Liam Neeson, let us not forget).
Allison, you’re right – whoops! I made the mistake of thinking that Collins is pretty well-known (I grew up reading stories about him, so there you go). Whoops. Michael Collins was a guy that fought to get Ireland out from under British rule in the early 1900’s.
Thank you for the kind comments!
As far as Collins goes, if you’re ever interested in learning more about him (and about the history of Ireland at the time) I would highly recommend checking out some books on him/Ireland during that time period. I think a historical perspective would be good if you’re interested, as the film’s pretty much a glorification of Michael Collins.
While I personally like the movie, historically speaking, it may not be highly accurate, nor do I think that it gives you a good look at Michael Collins the human being, more like Michael Collins, The Hero – which I think can be argued that certainly not everyone views Collins as a hero.
And, while I’m at it, Eamon de Valera became a central figure in Irish politics, from what I understand, and was in the time period this movie was set, and it might be worth checking stuff out on him, if you’re ever interested.
Incidentally, Neeson and Rickman both look very much like Collins and de Valera, respectively, which I find interesting.
And that’s the end of my history geek story.
On a shallow note: I don’t think Liam Neeson may have ever looked hotter than he does in this one. Heh.
You like this movie?
It’s so esoterically Irish. I guess with a name like Caitlin, you’re of Irish descent … but Jesus, when this came out it was MASSIVE in Ireland and flopped everywhere else. I found it to be a boring history lesson and even I was confused by who was whom at times. Plus, it was very weird watching my next door neighbour kill Michael Collins.
That fucker John O’Keeffe has gone on to become a bloody millionaire (and psst — he cannot act!). I want some of that movie luck.
Oh, and carbombs? They didn’t have carbombs in the 1920s.
You like this movie?
I sense disappointment and eye-rolling. I’m sorry, Kevin. Let’s chalk it up to the Awesome Power of Liam Neeson.
Hee.
I think it’s a good one-viewing movie. It’s not life-changing, just decent. I’ll never buy it and watch it multiple times or anything.
I guess with a name like Caitlin, you’re of Irish descent …
Yes, you would assume correctly. I don’t know if the Irish ancestry contributes any to me liking the movie or not or feeling fond of Liam Neeson, though. :D
but Jesus, when this came out it was MASSIVE in Ireland and flopped everywhere else.
Which doesn’t really surprise me. I would be surprised if it hadn’t done a fair bit in the Northeastern states here, considering the large amount of Irish-Americans in the NE states.
I found it to be a boring history lesson and even I was confused by who was whom at times.
See, I’m a weird girl. I LIKE boring history lessons, and this one felt pretty interesting to me. Maybe it’s because the subject matter was never mainlined into my head like other things (I never want to see another American Civil War movie ever AGAIN), but I found it to be at least entertaining. Then again, I’m the kind of person that reads history books before bedtime, so take it for what it’s worth.
Plus, it was very weird watching my next door neighbour kill Michael Collins.
Wait…what?! Kevin, do you just know EVERYONE? I mean, for real. We should start playing Six Degrees of you, for Christ’s sake. Your next door neighbor makes me laugh when he’s in movies, and not because he’s being funny on purpose. :p Bend it Like Beckham is the best movie ever to watch because I always laugh at how he runs. (Because I’m 12.)
Oh, and carbombs? They didn’t have carbombs in the 1920s.
Now that part I did remember, but Kevin, please don’t tell me that they didn’t have drive-bys on bicycles then, because it would just break my heart. :(
Also, the way it’s set up makes it kind of look like de Valera orders the hit on Collins, which is…really, really not true. Even a woefully ignorant American like myself is like, “Erm…no.”
I’ll put it this way: the history is messed up but the story’s decent.
Yes, Jonathan Rhys Meyers grew up next door to me. I went to school with his two brothers, Paul and Jamie. I used to know him well . . . but then he moved to Dublin after he dropped out of school and well, the rest is . . . a really shocking Hollywood career. I think he’s a very bad actor, but I don’t begrudge him a bit. I just hope he hasn’t stolen all the good fortune out of my shitty street.
He was very poor growing, as most were. His mother was a very heavy drinker, as most parents in Ireland are. And he was bullied badly in school. Most thought he was gay. But — and this is no joke — I thought he looked like a famous person, before he was even famous. Revisionist memories, maybe. But I knew he was going places. Now if only I could see that in the mirror.
:-P
By the way . . . I also met Cillian Murphy a good few times. He’s from Cork City too.
I used to know him well . . . but then he moved to Dublin after he dropped out of school and well, the rest is . . . a really shocking Hollywood career.
Well, he’s got the steady gig going now with being on The Tudors and everything. Are you guys getting that over on your side of the pond? I have not seen it, but I have heard things about it. Oh, man.
I think the only thing I’ve really thought he was decent in was Match Point. He should play more bad guys.
He was very poor growing, as most were. His mother was a very heavy drinker, as most parents in Ireland are. And he was bullied badly in school. Most thought he was gay.
Aww…okay, this makes me feel very awful for him now. Bless him – a hug and a cookie for you, JRM, wherever you may be. I sincerely hope his quality of life has improved nowadays.
That face he’s got is very unique and very male model looking, so I can see exactly what you’re talking about.
But I knew he was going places. Now if only I could see that in the mirror.
Awww, Kevin! See, you can’t come here and talk about yourself like that, since you’re awesome and all. From what little I’ve seen of your writing on your blog, you’re an immensely talented guy.
It sounds odd, since I don’t know you, but I do have faith that good things are coming ’round the bend for you. I can’t even imagine doing what you’re doing – so well played, Kevin.
By the way . . . I also met Cillian Murphy a good few times. He’s from Cork City too.
Damn. Who isn’t from Cork? I’m assuming you’re from Cork too, then. I think I’ve previously established how I feel about Cillian Murphy, so I’ll leave it at that. Now, Murphy has had a much better career than Rhys-Meyers…
I know this is random, but any mention of Cork makes me think of one of my favorite professors from college who was from Cork. He used to wax nostalgic when we discussed Ireland, mainly about Cork and how he missed it.
Julia Roberts did the absolute worst Irish brouge in this movie I have ever heard. EVER. Aidan Quinn didn’t even attempt it and he is Irish ancestry. I respect him for that. Julia appeared to be attempting it on and off, much like Kevin Costner attempted a British accent in Robin Hood and Keanu Reeves in Dangerous Liasons. People, if you can’t do it, don’t even try. It’s an insult to the Irish and it just ruins the film. Though I do love this film. I love Liam but I love Brendan Gleeson even more.