A chara, - As an exiled Dubliner, I was gratified to see Michael Collins showing here. The film depicts events that most people in the US do not know about, and which prominent people in Ireland now seem to wish had never happened. Congratulations to Liam Neeson for the charisma and energy he brought to the title role, and a warm "maith thui" to Sinead O'Connor for an enchanting She Moved Through The Fair.
Unfortunately, this is far from an Irish Dr. Zhivago. The characterisation and plot are flimsy to the point of banality - the "love triangle" is especially embarrassing. What I found annoying, even dishonest, was the film's characterisation of the motives and arguments of the anti Treaty side.
Those who opposed the Treaty are reduced to caricature, while no effort is made to scrutinize the reactionary alliance of Church and business which colluded to demoralize the people's struggle and make them accept something they knew was tainted. Go and see the film, but don't substitute it for history. - Is mise,
Pawley's Island,
US.