Blitz (2024), Dir Steve McQueen, Apple TV+, BFI Tour, mac Birmingham, 5✩✩✩✩✩. Review: Matthew Alicoon.
Blitz (2024), Dir Steve McQueen, Apple TV+,
5✩✩✩✩✩. Review: Matthew Alicoon.
Running Time: 120 Minutes
“A heartwarming tale of companionship during bleak times”.
Release Dates:
Friday 1st November 2024 (Cinemas)
Friday 22nd November 2024 (Apple TV+)
Blitz follows the story of a young boy George (Elliot Heffernan) who decides to abandon a train, to go back and find his mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan). George embarks on an adventure, only to find himself caught in immense peril during the Blitz.
For the story it decides to tell, Blitz was absolutely stunning in the character construction. At the tenderness of the film, it is a story about sympathetic human nature tackling companionship during dark times. McQueen’s ingenious focus to tell the story from a young perspective, escalates the drama to a new level. Yorick Le Sauz’s immersive cinematography makes you feel like a civilian during the Blitz, as the lack of restraint and restrictions from the camera work throws you into the conflict. The pacing thrusts you into the chaos instantly. Expertly, the film avoids explaining how the Blitz started. Therefore, the context of this hectic character driven story made the drama profound, reflective and highly contemporary. Blitz is a challenging and powerful piece of cinema. McQueen is not afraid to tackle the racism of the time period, where scenes are unified to support historical context.
Elliot Heffernan is going to be a revelation going forward. This is his first feature film unbelievably. Throughout his journey, his mannerisms feel matured and adult. Heffernan fiercely remains expressive by at times saying nothing, acting solely through his eyes. The horror of the Blitz is inflicted harrowingly onto his character. Saoirse Ronan masterfully plays the duality of trying to feel she has done the right thing for her son. However, Ronan also carries the core themes of remorse and a guilty conscience in a reflective way. Harris Dickinson explicitly bridges the moral gap of right and wrong. Cunning performances from Kathy Burke and Stephen Graham who maintain slyness and deceit. Blitz is not afraid to tackle the subject matters with a critical lens. We see disparities within society, the penitence a mother can feel, neglectful racism and the horrifying truths of war take centre stage. Blitz’s resistance lies within the film not being afraid to hold back.
The sound design is alarming where the silence is deafening, accompanied by the exhilarating and howling loudness. There are moments where my heart did stop. The sensitivity remains compassionate throughout. It is a distressing look into one of the bleakest moments in history. However, Steve McQueen manages to create a charming mother and son dynamic, that feels incredibly realistic. The fully realised writing of the sympathetic characters, make Blitz a heartwarming watch, amidst the chaos.
A stunning piece of cinema from Steve McQueen.
Cast
Elliott Heffernan as George
Saoirse Ronan as Rita, George's mother
Harris Dickinson as Jack
Benjamin Clementine as Ife
Kathy Burke as Beryl
Paul Weller as Gerald
Stephen Graham as Albert
Erin Kellyman as Doris
Leigh Gill as Mickey Davies
Creatives
Director – Steve McQueen
Screenwriters – Steve McQueen
Producers – Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Steve McQueen, Anita Overland, Adam Somner, Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer
Cinematographer – Yorick Le Sauz
Editor – Peter Sciberras
Music – Hans Zimmer