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Released 24th October 2008
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We live in an age of homeland terrorism, or should that be we ‘still’ live in that age, expect it’s Islamic fundamentalists that now get all the press, instead of the IRA. Writer/Director Sharon Maguire’s take on Chris Cleave’s novel aims to address that ever-present threat that was brought, once again, to the forefront of Londoners’ minds with the unimaginable 7/7 atrocities. But what Incendiary commendably captures in heart-felt moments of grief is blow apart by some of its more farcical and unbelievable elements. There is an obvious sense that there was just too much story and character depth to comfortably, realistically and faithfully do Chris Cleave’s novel any real justice — budget restrictions aside.
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Although Michelle Williams gives a relatively creditable performance as a working-class North London mother, once her accent improves as the film progresses, grieving for her lost son and husband in the Arsenal stadium bombings, it’s Ewan McGregor playing a yuppie Fleet Street hack character who looks less than comfortable in his role, as though he is surprised to find himself in it. Although Williams and McGregor play chalk-and-cheese characters from different social classes, it’s that snide, stereotypical, middle-class assumption that implies: give a working-class gal a drink in a pub and she’ll be ‘up for anything’ that sits rather uncomfortably, regardless of the greater issues at play. Added to which, Matthew Macfadyen as the deceased husband’s former police colleague and head of the local terrorist branch as an equally bumbling and socially-awkward, middle-class character, despicably trying to win the mother’s affections through her grief that further rakes up these stereotypes, and is, frankly, bordering on being insulting to anyone in either class situation.
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There is some laughable dialogue, pregnant pauses in delivery, and just a general feeling of unease about the whole performance that, short of Williams’s scenes of portrayal into delusional grief at the end, tarnish what could be a far more powerful and poignant film. Other questionable moments include the mother being reunited with her dead son’s toy, thanks to the hack’s contacts (but how does he know that THIS toy belonged to the little boy); dubious, low-budget CGI effects of the bombed-out stadium; bizarre moments of truth from Macfadyen’s character in a small caravan by the sea; and other pieces of classified intelligence information that is divulged willy-nilly to the mother — all with the aim of winning her over. In addition, although parts of the mother’s monologue to Osama Bin Laden as part of her recovery process are genuinely touching, rallying in a ‘Churchhill-esque fashion that good old British spirit that cannot be defeated, other parts are just a little too comical to be taken seriously. One of the pleasing things about Incendiary was its ‘terrorism facts’, such as terrorists not being psychopaths, but ‘ordinary’, disillusioned people with a governing system, are accurately depicted, even though the scenes where the mother gets to know the alleged bomber’s young son are a little stilted and far-fetched in places.
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As much as Incendiary tackles the highly topical subject of an imminent terrorist attack on London and concentrates on the effects on a small element of the population, the impact of the fear and grief that follow such a harrowing event are often ‘drowned out’ by the plot’s greater obsession with class values and adultery. Even though Williams gives the part her all, you cannot help but feel whether another Brit actress could have given a grittier, more localised, far more realistic performance?
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By Lisa Keddie
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Synopsis
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Story of a young mother whose life is changed forever by a terrorist attack on London. Powerfully prophetic and ultimately defiant, the film is based on the best selling novel which was published on the day of the 7/7 London bombings. Starring Ewan McGregor and Michelle Williams and directed by Sharon Maguire. The film is a brutal and tender story that ultimately offers hope for our troubled world.
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Film Facts
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Official UK site: http://www.incendiarymovie.co.uk/
UK release date: 24th October 2008
Director: Sharon Maguire
Writers: Sharon Maguire, Chris Cleave
Cast: Michelle Williams (’Young Mother’), Ewan McGregor (’Jasper Black’), Matthew Macfadyen (’Terrance’), Sidney Johnston (’The Boy’), Nicholas Gleaves (’Lenny’)
UK Distributor: Optimum Releasing
Certificate: 15
Run-time: 100 mins
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Video on Real.com
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Trailer:
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EXCLUSIVE CLIP:
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