WoW. What a great movie. Highly recommend watching it. YOu'll like it

"Belfast" was one of 2021's most lauded film achievements, and watching it, it's easy to see why. Writer-director Kenneth Branagh (taking a break from acting) obviously feels deeply about this autobiographical story of a young boy coming of age in Northern Ireland during a particularly violent chapter of "the Troubles." His family is Protestant (more agnostic, really) living in a Catholic neighborhood, and the sudden changes in this small community are as stark as the sudden shift from color photography to black & white that Branagh uses to tell his tale. He gets great performances from his cast (Jamie Dornan, Catriona Balfe, Ciaran Hinds, Judy Dench, and newcomer Jude Hill as his surrogate self) and creates such a vivid portrait of Belfast in the 60s that you can practically smell the city burning. This is a terrific movie.

A very genuine snapshot about an extended family living in Belfast in the 60s and how they navigate the personal and economic impact caused by The Troubles. Based on Kenneth Branagh's youth, it focuses more on the personal than the political, and the family love and connection feels so real. Some lovely bonus materials, too, especially "Everyone's Inner Child".

While Belfast has it’s flaws, it’s still an excellent films and for me, had the best scenes of the year. No spoilers, but Everlasting Love almost made my eyes well up with tears of pure cinematic joy.

If the music doesn't make you love this one, the main character will make your heart melt. What a wonderful piece of intimate history told through the eyes of this exceptional child actor.