A Belfast Story
A Belfast Story is a 2013 Irish crime film written and directed by Nathan Todd and starring Colm Meaney. It is Todd's directorial debut.[1]
A Belfast Story | |
---|---|
Directed by | Nathan Todd |
Produced by | John Todd |
Written by | Nathan Todd |
Starring | Colm Meaney |
Music by | Nick Glennie-Smith Mac Quayle |
Cinematography | Peter Holland |
Edited by | John Wright |
Release date |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
Country | Northern Ireland |
Language | English |
Cast
- Colm Meaney as Detective
- Malcolm Sinclair as Chief Constable
- Tommy O'Neill as First Minister Owen McKenna
- Damien Hasson as Damien
- Patrick Rocks as Eammon
- Peter O'Toole as Alley victim
Reception
The film received negative reviews and has a 14% "Rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[2]
Stephen Dalton of The Hollywood Reporter wrote in his review, "Nathan Todd attempts something similar in his debut feature, a murder mystery with political overtones, but his inexperience lets him down badly." He also added, "not even [Meaney's] heavyweight gravitas can save A Belfast Story from its weak script, sluggish pacing and one-dimensional characters."[3]
Steve Rose of The Guardian gave the film 2 stars out of 5 and wrote, "the plot scatters too many pieces about, putting the film's star off screen for long stretches."[4]
Controversy
A month before its release, the film garnered controversy in Great Britain for the filmmakers' publicity stunt of sending a nail bomb kit to the media to promote the film.[3][5] Nathan Todd later issued an apology.[6]
References
- "A Belfast Story: latest movie take on Troubles may drive you up wall". Belfast Telegraph. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- "A Belfast Story (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- Dalton, Stephen (22 September 2013). "A Belfast Story: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- Rose, Steve (19 September 2013). "A Belfast Story – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- "NI film A Belfast Story promoted by 'nail bomb kit'". BBC News. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- Sherwin, Adam (23 August 2013). "A Belfast Story director apologises for sending 'nail bomb' promotional kit branded 'the most distasteful freebie ever'". The Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2016.