Michael Collins --- a great man, a good movie

© WB

Title: Michael Collins (A-)
Release Year: 1996
Actors: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, Julia Roberts, Brendan Gleeson, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
Writer & Director: Neil Jordan
Editor / Music: J. Patrick Duffner et al. / Elliott Goldenthal
Design / Photography: Anthony Pratt / Chris Menges
Producer: Stephen Wooley
Studio: Geffen Pictures and WB

“I hate them for making hate necessary”

Damn! I love that line! I’m perplexed as to why I do not feel exactly the same about the movie. Don’t get me wrong, I like this movie. I believe it is one of those hollywood biographies that remained faithful to the history books. Not that I have a lot of idea who Michael Collins is, but just because there wasn’t much forced improbabilities to augment the dramatic effect. I know this may come as a shock to many of you, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to dig deeper into the authenticity of the movie (yeah right!). However, I can compare this one with a movie top billed by the same lead.

Released almost ten years ago, this movie didn’t make quite a stir as other biographical movies. We know how much the Oscar love biography movies, but somehow this movie didn’t quite ignite as much passion from them unlike its main character. What was the factor that immobilized its ride to the top???

Easy, the movie was released three years after the wide scale success of Schindler’s list. Liam Neeson played the title role and earned praises for his performance as a “savior” during the Ghetto era. This time, he’s also the savior. He even has a much greater responsibility. He’s the key towards the autonomy of Ireland. The range of emotions he needed to convey was wider since the character dealt with not just the depression, but with romance and friendship as well. Simply put, it just didn’t come first.

I love Schindler’s List. It’s one of the best movie ever made. I think that the story of Michael Collins is quite more important, but the story of Schindler was illustrated in a much dramatic scenario. I cried a river for that movie and in this one, I shed not even a single tear. It was touching, it was engaging, but there was not enough dramatic spur to make me cry. It didn’t leave quite as much of a mark, and since people already saw a better film than this, the expectations were much higher, and disappointment came closely behind.


© WB

In comparison to our national heroes, Michael Collins is like a combination of Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal. During the beginning of the movie, he was pretty determined to fight for their independence and kill for it. In the final half of the movie, he made a turn into Jose because even if his objective is still self-rule, he compromised his beliefs and settle for what he thought is better than going into war. But at the end of the movie he kinda became Marcelo H Del Pilar, killed by a supporter of the gibberish president of their republic. Rings a bell doesn’t it? I never imagined how much similarity we can come up. He also dies at a much younger age than Del Pilar. He died at 31.

The ultimate strengths of this movie are its cinematography and musical score. It may not be as brilliantly shot as the movies today but it was very well done. I did like Neil Jordan’s direction and writing, but I really felt that it lack that emotional clout it needed to make it that memorable. It was gripping especially in the battle scenes but there’s gotta be more.

Liam Neeson was good. During the first half, I felt awkward listening to his bizarre Irish accent, but as the movie went along the discomfiture waned. Not a better performance than Schindler’s but good enough to establish him as one of the most persuasive actors around. Although I believe Russell Crowe could have done a much better job. Good performances from the supporting cast except for two people whom I thought could have done so much better. First, Alan Rickman, I thought it was a weak performance. The umph factor wasn’t there. In some of his scenes I just wanna hit him in the head and tell him to give more. Another disappointment was Julia Roberts. Yup, my dear Julia. Okay, I appreciate the fact that Julia tried to sing, operative word is try, aside from the catastrophe on that area, she also failed to capture the essence of the role. It was a very blunt performance. Very ordinary, very weak, very forgettable. Maybe another reason for its failure, a movie with a weak performance from Julia is bound to be doomed.

A movie about a man whose love for country and its people goes beyond what he wants and needs. A compelling story need be known by all. See this movie without any Schindler’s list thought behind to preclude any possible discontent. Just enjoy it for what it is and realize the lessons in life that we often ignore. It takes a nation to make a change, but only one man to pioneer it. Watch how he did it.

Grading Sheet:
Story – 18%
Screenplay – 17%
Direction / Execution – 17%
Acting – 18%
Technical Aspect – 18%
Total: 86% = A-