Neil O'Flaherty

A complex, thought-provoking movie, set at the time of the Civil War in Ireland and subtly exploring the theme of conflict coming to the surface among neighbors and friends and bringing destruction to all concerned. The Civil War serves as a leitmotif throughout, with multiple references to explosions seen on the mainland, though the underlying cause is never addressed. Similarly, any rationale for the seemingly sudden enmity between Colm and Pádraig is not considered or addressed, and is presented solely in the words of Colm himself when he withdraws his friendship. From the outset, the lack of conversational depth and the inability if the characters to really know each other in anything other than superficial ways is a dominant theme. The loneliness brought about by this absence of meaningful communication and real intimacy drives the insanity which gives rise to self- mutilation, arson, suicide and exile. The underlying deep affection in which the characters hold each other, and which is manifested in subtle gestures, words and acts of kindness is never able to break through the characters’ reticence to own their deeper feelings towards one another. In this lies the seed of their downfall, much like in the case of the erstwhile friends and comrades, slaughtering each other in a futile CivilWar ( Cogadh na gCarad - A war of Friends) that rages while the post mistress is busy painting the mail box green. Despite a handful of irritating linguistic and other anachronisms, this sensitively acted movie is a triumph.