By Alex Gilston - October 13, 2024
Steve McQueen returned to the London Film Festival to premiere his latest film Blitz. The Blitz is a dark moment in British history, but the film utilises its impact to tell a story that grounds it firmly in the present day. It’s not entirely subtle but it respectably drives its point home with gumption.
Blitz uses its episodic nature to its advantage. As George journeys back to London he meets various people who help him to understand the world in a better way. He first meets three young brothers, stowaways on a train heading back to London. He’s able to relate to them as they are heading back to London for the same reason as him. This is where the film first deals with its core theme of multiculturalism and racism. Flashbacks show that George had been previously bullied for his mixed-race heritage, but these boys take him at face value and they strike up a friendship.
When George delves further into London he meets Ife (Benjamin Clementine), a Blitz Marshall who roves the dark streets during blackouts. This sequence with Ife is the strongest throughout the whole film. George gets to talk with Ife about his heritage and Ife is able to educate him on this as it’s clear this type of conversation was absent as he was growing up.
Where Blitz falters however is in its third act. George gets kidnapped and forced into derelict buildings to steal things for Albert (Stephen Graham) and Beryl (Kathy Burke). Considering how the film had played itself quite seriously up until this point, the pantomime-like nature of these scenes and Graham and Burke’s performances were at odds with what came before it. A tonal whiplash that takes you out of the story which up until that point was enthralling.
Blitz’ technical facets are strong, as you’d expect with a film helmed by Steve McQueen. The deafening sound design immerses you into the action, as well as the period accurate set design. The shooting is magnetic, keeping things frenetic when there’s lots of movement.
Saoirse Ronan isn’t the main character by any stretch of the imagination, but she’s still brilliant with what she turns out on screen. Elliott Hefferman breaks out in his role of George. We follow him as the protagonist for the majority of the film, a big weight to carry on young shoulders, but he carries it well.
Blitz isn’t necessarily Steve McQueen’s best, but that’s hard when you have a filmography as stellar as his, but it’s still a worthy outing for the British filmmaker. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s compelling nonetheless. More than anything, despite its historical setting, it’s a timely message about embracing community and multiculturalism.
Blitz releases in cinemas November 1 also streaming on Apple TV+ November 22
Comments