REVIEW: “Blitz” (2024)

As a cinephile who has had the privilege of witnessing some of the most poignant and powerful films in history, I must say that Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” stands tall among them. Born and raised in London, the city that serves as the backdrop for this gripping tale, I found myself immersed in a world that felt all too familiar yet was still raw and unsettling.

In “Blitz,” director, writer, and producer Steve McQueen showcases his sharp real-world filmmaking style once again, this time in his hometown of London, during a historical drama that takes place at the onset of World War II, often referred to as “The Blitz.” The term “The Blitz” is derived from Germany’s Blitzkrieg, and it signifies an eight-month span when Hitler’s Air Force launched a devastating bombing offensive against British cities. During this period, over 1.2 million people were evacuated from the affected British cities, with more than half being children.

The historical context lays the foundation for McQueen’s moving tale. A grueling four-minute sequence at the start depicts firefighters bravely fighting fires ignited by German bombs, followed by an introduction to the film’s primary characters – Rita (Saoirse Ronan), a loving mother, and her 9-year-old biracial son, George (Elliott Heffernan). The strong connection between them serves as the emotional core that strengthens McQueen’s narrative.

In September 1940, McQueen transports us into a time one year into World War II. The effects of Hitler’s hostility echo throughout England. Nestled within their cozy London apartment reside Rita, George, and her piano-playing father Gerald (Paul Weller), who cherishes his grandson deeply. However, beyond the confines of their warm domestic space lies a world marked by harshness and turmoil.

Amidst increasing air raids by the Nazis, Rita is persuaded to send George on a train bound for the countryside, carrying other children evacuated from the city. Their goodbyes are strained as an upset George distances himself from his tearful mother. However, as the train approaches its destination, a repentant George decides to leap off and embark on a risky journey back to London, seeking reconciliation with his mother.

The main part of the tale unfolds as George embarks on a perilous voyage, a trip that broadens his young understanding of the harsh truths in his environment. Throughout this journey, he encounters a mix of individuals, some malevolent and self-serving, while others exhibit kindness and empathy. McQueen skillfully presents these contrasting aspects through George’s innocent and uncorrupted viewpoint, offering an authentic and unfiltered perspective. Debutant actor Young Heffernan delivers a powerful performance, subtly portraying the emotions of George in a compelling manner. This is indeed a remarkable first acting effort.

In my perspective, as I navigate my way homeward, Rita commutes to a factory where she produces war supplies. Yet, her benevolence extends beyond this role, as she dedicates her spare time to a refuge for displaced residents in our community. However, when news reaches her that George didn’t arrive with the other children, Rita embarks on an independent quest to locate her son. Ronan, who has always exuded an almost effortless elegance, now channels this grace into a powerful blend of motherly fervor and unyielding determination. This results in a heartwarmingly resolute portrayal that plays a vital role in McQueen’s artistic vision.

During the progression of “Blitz”, scenes delving into the past provide valuable insight and depth, particularly concerning George’s father, Marcus (played by CJ Beckford). These flashbacks are skillfully executed but not entirely innovative in their narrative direction. As McQueen is renowned for doing, his film pauses to address racial prejudice. Some of these scenes carry a strong impact, while others seem staged more for the audience than as organic parts of the story. They can at times be overt and awkward, falling short of the refined storytelling we typically associate with this director.

But those are such small quibbles for a movie this stirring, heartfelt, and well crafted. Steve McQueen remains a fascinating filmmaker. With “Blitz” he embraces an old-fashioned classicism yet isn’t afraid to add his own creative flavor. His film is very much a lavish wartime drama, illuminated through the period-piece lensing of DP Yorick Le Saux. But as with most of McQueen’s projects, it’s a human drama at its core. There are moments of inspiration but even more that shatter us. And then McQueen hits us with something like the film’s Café de Paris nightclub sequence – the kind of technically brilliant and emotionally sobering scene that makes his movies must-see experiences.

2024-11-25 18:56

REVIEW: “Blitz” (2024)

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