Shadow Dancer

`Is this just because she has a pretty face?'
SHADOW DANCER (definition: a dance presented by casting shadows of dancers on a screen) is another film about the conflicts of the IRA during the 1990s. Despite the fact that the theme is a recurring one in films, the core meaning of the conflict remains a bewildering mystery to those not living in Ireland or in England, and that is what makes this film fall short of being excellent - there is much significant information that is not shared with the audience as though we all understand fully both sides of the conflict well enough to muddle through the outlines of the plot that are presented. Tom Brady wrote screenplay based on his own novel and even director James Marsh can't seem to iron it out into a comprehensible story.

The film opens in 1973 in Belfast when young Collette (Maria Laird) is asked by her father to run an errand but she is far more interested in making bead necklaces so she sends her younger brother Sean (Ben Smyth) who is killed outside their home. Jump...

Good spy film
I was reluctant to watch one more movie on IRA. Trust me, almost movies based on Irish revolt were good. But, I think I've had enough.

Personally, I prefer "Five Minutes of Heaven".

This movie, like Five Minutes of Heaven, uses the North Ireland civil war only as a background to convey a much more darker story.

The film is shot with simple means without any frills and above all without ANY product placements.

Which is in itself very noble of the director.

Challenging Movie, Great if you Have Background on Irish politics
My background knowledge on the IRA (Irish Republican Army) is mediocre, so it was difficult following the politics in the movie. If you're a fan of Irish political dramas, I recommend you watch Bloody Sunday instead.

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