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Liam [2001]
![Liam [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AMJ4HV77L._SL160_.jpg)
No startling revelations here, then--but the film is fuelled by McGovern's affection for his characters and his passionate anger at their plight. Stephen Frears' vivid and atmospheric direction makes the world of cramped grey terraced houses real and tangible, and skilfully builds the tension toward the final inevitable outburst of violence. And from his cast he draws performances of rare urgency. As Teresa, Megan Burns touchingly conveys the confusion of a young woman torn by conflicting loyalties and witness to emotions she can't quite grasp. But the film is held by Ian Hart as Tom, with his raw vulnerable face and indignant ears, crushing down his own gentler instincts as he's drawn towards fascism. As he marches down the street in his black shirt his twitchy strut--half guilty and half defiant--says it all. --Philip Kemp
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £8.79 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Aye, it's tough oop north--again. In Liam, screenwriter Jimmy McGovern takes us into well-mined territory: working-class Liverpool during the Depression years of the early 1930s, and into the bosom of a poor but proud Catholic family. But then Tom, the father, loses his job at the local dockyards; teenage daughter Teresa, working for the rich Samuels family who own the yard, finds herself unhappily used as a go-between in Mrs Samuels' extra-marital affair; and seven-year-old Liam is being scared witless by hellfire sermons from his priest and his schoolteacher. Things get worse when the embittered Tom, deciding the Jews are to blame for his workless state, joins the Mosleyite fascists.
great film!
Review date: 2008-10-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film is well written and well acted all main characters and extras make it so believable its great!
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Reviews
Gritty Pre-War Drama.
Review date: 2002-11-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
This is an atmospheric and realistic film set in depression era Liverpool, following the woes of a working class family who face unemployment, means-testing and regular trips to the pawn shop. However the main theme is more heart-warming with it's focus on Liam, the youngest boy of the family, as he prepares for First Holy Communion and his first awakenings to the female body. The climax of the film involves a tragedy caused by Liam's father's involvement with the Fascist Blackshirts. Jimmy McGovern's direction ( of Cracker TV fame ) is perhaps a little heavy handed in it's use of stereotypes ( scary dogmatic Catholic priests and harsh employers ) but it is nevertheless a well made and sometimes touching recreation of a troubled time in British history.
A Brilliant Film
Review date: 2002-02-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film gave me a very good understanding of pre-WW2 Liverpool. It is well made and I recommend it to anyone who sees this
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
David Hart (IV)
Claire Hackett
Anthony Borrows
Megan Burns
Ian Hart
Creators:
Ian Hart (Primary Contributor)
Claire Hackett (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Artificial Eye
Manufacturer: Artificial Eye
EAN: 5021866200309
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-12-26
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Running time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)