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Resurrection Man (1997)

Director: Marc Evans

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From Time Out Film Guide

Notwithstanding a sterling central performance from the up-and-coming Townsend, this account of the deeds of the Shankhill Butchers (adapted by Eoin McNamee from his book) leaves a pretty nasty taste in the mouth. The problem lies in the film-makers' seeming inability to decide whether it's a political work, a genre thriller, or a study of violent psychopaths (in which case it doesn't tell us much about them). Regardless of the fact that the killers' contribution to the Belfast Troubles of the '70s was not politically motivated (though their capacity for carnage was used by the terrorists), and despite director Marc Evans' insistence that this is a fiction, the makers seem to want to have their cake and eat it, leaving the movie open to charges of sensationalist exploitation. Polished but dodgy.

Author: GA 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

dee said...

Posted on Jan 06 2008 03:27 Fantastic - this film says just enough about the horror of violence and the people behind it to ask many questions and only begin to provide the answers about why it happens and who lets it happen. Superb performances by Brenda Fricker and Stuart Townsend provide a chillingly personal touch to the film. Don't look for pat answers - there aren't any and this film won't try to give them - but as a snapshot of life in a violent 20th/ 21st century this film gives enough evidence and enough clues to really get you thinking. Fascinating and distinctly realistic stuff.

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