ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250043
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
Both are stories of historical figures who fought and "won" complex wars, but then found that peace was even more difficult to handle. Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) fought in Ireland in the early years of this century, and people are still killing each other there over the same issues. The film carefully avoids any contemporary political bias, and so it lacks the simple emotional appeal of most cinematic escapism.
Instead, it's a story of compromise, political maneuvering and real tragedy.
It begins with the 1916 Easter Uprising in Dublin. Occupying British troops crush the rebellion. Collins, his friend Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn) and rebel leader Eamon De Valera (Alan Rickman) are captured, but, unlike many, they are spared execution. They change tactics then and begin a guerilla war. When Boland and De Valera go to America to raise money, Collins becomes the leader of the struggle. Journalist Ned Broy (Stephen Rea) is a key informant as the British escalate the war, calling in the fierce Black and Tans to impose order. At the same time, Collins falls in love with Kitty Kiernan (Julia Roberts), a woman who'd helped both him and Boland.
Roughly the first two-thirds of the film follows the physical conflict, and that's where Jordan and director of photography Chris Menges are at their best. The screen is filled with muted greens, blues and grays that are a cool contrast to the violent action.
Collins' hit-and-run campaign is successful, and so when Boland and De Valera return, both the political and personal situations become much more complex. That's also when the story moves into territory that's probably unfamiliar to many viewers, even those who know something about the Irish "troubles."
Throughout, Liam Neeson is excellent. He's able to make Collins' conflicting emotions of patriotism, love and doubt seem believable and compelling. And though Collins is a genuinely heroic figure, the film is not an apology for the IRA. In a political sense, its only message is in favor of realistic compromise and peace.
Other parts aren't as effective. Julia Roberts is poorly served by a thinly written role and a wardrobe director who placed her underneath a series of unfortunate hats. Eamon De Valera doesn't quite fill the bill as a villain. Also, the deliberate, methodical structure of the story will strike some as old-fashioned and slow. But the images, like Neeson's passionate performance, are strong and memorable.
In the end, Jordan's own even-handedness may work against him. The film is unlikely to satisfy partisans on either side of Irish issues. Some will say it glorifies Collins the revolutionary terrorist; others will say it glorifies Collins the compromiser. Neither is right.
"Michael Collins" is a thoughtful look at a flawed man trapped in the most difficult of times.
"Michael Collins" *** A Warner Bros. release playing at the Grandin. 135 minutes. Rated R for violence, strong language.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Liam Neeson stars as Irish rebel Michael Colliins.by CNB