Review of Black '47

I had hoped for a more visceral insight into the extremely challenging and for many unbearable circumstances of this period in Irish history. While the context was highly visible in each scene, and the recent history was briefly explained at different points, the plot itself was disappointing. The lead Irishman was given a linear storyline comprising progression from one vengeful act to the next, while there was in my view too great an emphasis upon the "redemptive" journey of the Hugo Weaving's Englishman deployed to track him down. Overall I had hoped for more focus upon 1) how this awful situation came about (e.g. sub-division of farm plots, export of grain and beef) and 2) the journeys of those trying to find a way to survive, assisted by greater character development. Of course this would be a different movie, and this film still offered insight and a form of emotional depth in its own way. But to me the plot acted as a vehicle to show the situation of the time, rather than drive the level of empathy and connection with the Irish people of this time that I had hoped for.