The Wind That Shakes the Barley

As with his Spanish Civil War-set Land and Freedom (1995), filmmaker Ken Loach melds history and personal drama in The Wind That Shakes the Barley, set in Ireland during 1920-21, when the IRA was formed and the British government was forced to agree to the division of the Emerald Isle, which ultimately left Northern Ireland under direct British rule. Set against this backdrop, the story focuses on two brothers who join the IRA but later part company after the treaty of 1921 establishes the so-called Irish Free State. Teddy O'Donovan (Padraic Delaney) throws his lot in with the compromise regime, even becoming a leader of its police force, while his younger brother Damien (Cillian Murphy)—originally the less bellicose of the two but radicalized by his experiences in combat—continues the armed struggle until (inevitably) the brothers must face one another. Much about The Wind That Shakes the Barley is excellent—performances, cinematography, locales—but what weakens the film is Loach's penchant for didacticism, which becomes increasingly pronounced in the second half, to the detriment of the fraternal plot. Even so, this Cannes Golden Palm award-winner does effectively illuminate the events leading to eight decades (and counting) of tortured Irish history. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Ken Loach and historical advisor Professor Donal O'Driscoll, a 49-minute “Carry On Ken” documentary on Loach's career, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a mostly winning film.] (F. Swietek)