Posted by Post Taken, any action film or thriller starring Liam Neeson has bang average, 6/10 entertainment written all over it – Non Stop, The Commuter and Run All Night spring to mind. In The Land of Saints and Sinners is set in 1974 in Glencolmcille, Ireland and is a thriller that is a step above his usual geriaction flicks.
Liam Neeson is Finbar, a hired killer who is stepping away from a life of death. That life is not quite done with him yet though, as after learning of someone abusing a kid he felt compelled to exact revenge. That wrongun turned out to be a member of the IRA, some of whom are hiding out in the village, and now they want blood.
Directed by Robert Lorenz, whose last film also starred Neeson (The Marksman), this is a dark and gritty thriller that moves slowly and builds a nice head of steam. The slow and assured pacing helps give the bloody action more oomph. This is certainly the case for the tumultuous, climactic showdown culminating in a bittersweet ending.
It plays out like a Western but set in the emerald isle, with Liam playing the stoic and capable Clint Eastwood type. He is helped out by the exuberant Kevin, a newcomer assassin who is too enthusiastic about his job, played by a superb Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon). Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin) is good as the self righteous and blood thirsty IRA member Doireann.
It is a bit by numbers but it is a satisfying Western cum thriller, with self assured pacing and visceral, bloody action.
7.5/10
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