Barnardos

‘Because childhood lasts a lifetime’

PRODUCTION - ICONOCLAST

AGENCY - BBH

A very modern hardship

“There's an interesting shift in focus in this Irish film for the charity Barnardo's which reminds the audience that difficult upbringings aren't always a result of abuse or brutality. Seen through the prism of a succession of birthdays, the decline in a boy's quality of life is tangible after the death of his mother , and the importance of talking about it is emphatic.

The cost of living crisis has had a profound impact on people's lives, and this film reflects the increasing number of people who need help because of the difficulties depicted here. Many of those suffering in circumstances like this will not necessarily see themselves as in need of help... or even deserving of it, which can exacerbate the problem. They will rightly say that many are worse off than they, but everyone should be entitled to stability and happiness.

Director David Leon signals the shift in fortunes with great perceptiveness, ensuring we notice how every aspect of the boy's life changes as time passes, even sucking the warmth out of the imagery as the dreadfulness grows.

The famously charitable Irish people seem certain to respond to this by helping to raise money for those less fortunate than themselves... as they always do.” - David Reviews * * * * *