Lakelands

First time feature film from Directing/Writing duo Patrick McGivney and Robert Higgins. Set in Cavan, Ireland. Cian (played excellently by Eanna Hardwicke) who is a young farmer who helps his dad. While enjoying playing Gaelic football at the weekends, while also going out for a few pints with his mates. During one of these nights out, he gets badly beaten which leads to a career ending concussion and Cian struggling to come to grips with what he loves been taken away from him. Soon a old friend Grace (nice turn from Danielle Galligan) comes back home from years away in England (she's now a nurse) to take care of her dying father. They meet up again and strike back up their friendship . And both are a big help to each other during tough times. Hardwicke does feel like he could pass as Paul Mescal's brother. And I do wonder if the role was written for him, as Mescal did do a short film called Drifting for the Directors a year or two before, with two of Lakeland's cast Lorcan Cranitch (who play's Cian dad) and Dafhyd Flynn (as Cian's Friend). I like that, although there is a tinge of romantic feelings I thought, Cian and Grace are really just friends. Already its set up not far into the film that Grace has a boyfriend in the UK. So I woldn't say this is a romantic film at all. It's not going to win any film of the year awards or anything but it shows that Directors have a great career ahead of themselves and Hardwicke is a actor to keep a eye on.

Éanna Hardwicke turns in a solid performance here as "Cian". He works on his family farm with his father, is a regular on the local football team - and is also quite partial to a mischievous pint (or six). It's whilst out on the latter that he gets beaten up in an alleyway. Taken home and left bruised and embarrassed, he thinks little more of it - despite having severe headaches and dizzy spells that suggest that he might have a concussion. Meantime, his long-time friend "Grace" (Danielle Galligan) has returned to their village to care for her declining father. The two must now come to terms with the changes that are in the offing to both of their lives. There's a chemistry between the two, and also an effective one between Hardwicke and his father (Lorcan Cranitch) who cares deeply for his son, but who has difficulties demonstrating that affection. The relationship with his teammates, those loyal and sensible and those more hot-headed tests his strength of character and reason and the real-time style pacing of the story illustrates well the effects on this young man - not just of the incident, but of his ageing and of his own gradual maturity into a character for whom aspects of his past life might no longer be suitable. This is observational in nature, it's a snippet of these people's lives leaving us without any definite conclusions - and I think that helps this resonate. It shows us the dangers of recklessness and thoughtlessness, as well as just how these behaviours can have ramifications far beyond those that might have appeared likely at the time. There is plenty of humour contained in the script, and it manages to deal with the complexities of the subject without straying into melodrama. Some nice photography adds richness, as does quite a strong score from Daithi O'Dronai and though it probably doesn't need a big screen, it's well worth a watch.

I found this atmospheric film moving - beautiful performances from Eanna Hardwicke, Daniela Galligan and Lorcan Cranitch. It really conveyed the sense of community that can't be found elsewhere - and how those that leave miss it but they don't fully belong anymore, and those that stay can feel lost and isolated when they lose their place or sense of identity within that community. The relationship explored between Cian and his father, Diarmuid, is nuanced and beautiful. Congrats to all involved in the production - the cinematography, sound design and music is especially good. I look forward to seeing Eanna Hardwicke and Danielle Galligan in their next films.