My Rental Queue: THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY (2006)

Director: Ken Loach

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham, Orla Fitzgerald, and Mary O’Riordan

Story: Ireland, 1920. Damien and Teddy are brothers. But while the latter is already the leader of a guerrilla squad fighting for the independence of his motherland, Damien, a medical graduate of University College, would rather further his training at the London hospital where he has found a place. However, shortly before his departure, he happens to witness atrocities committed by the ferocious Black and Tans and finally decides to join the resistance group led by Teddy.

Review: THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY is one of the best movies I have seen this year. I think what really touched me is how amazing the actors were. The only “known” actor is Cillian Murphy and that benefits the film so much because it makes it easier to identify with each character. The film is by no means an action film and even though it is about guerrilla fighters, there aren’t any big fight scenes. That said, there are some pretty powerful scenes that will leave you thinking thinking about them for a while.

The Wind That Shakes The Barley won the Palm D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and usually I wouldn’t even look twice at a movie that won that prize, because let’s face it, these films are usually not really good, but one of my friends told me The Wind That Shakes The Barley was really good and since I trust his judgment I decided to take a look at it. I have thanked him ever since. In fact, after watching it the first time I bought the DVD and watched it again.

So if you have been looking for a good film that will touch you, The Wind That Shakes The Barley is definitely it.