Shadow Dancer

An engrossing film that keeps the suspense and mood/fear of the IRA throughout. Unlike most mafia movies made in the USA, Shadow Dancer keeps alive the idea that at any moment you could be struck down by the feared Irish militant group. There are no "rules" per say, and you feel it here. It really gives you a taster of what it's like to live in Northern Ireland in the mid-90s.

The choice of shots here is exceptional and I absolutely adored the cinematography. It's the sort of movie that you can tell is an independently produced film, but the fine-tuned attention to detail from the director and editors can be seen a mile away. The music is also extremely important here in keeping the suspense, so well done to whomever did the music. It's a riveting film that never takes its foot off the gas [although it never reaches fifth gear].

Everybody gives satisfactory performances, and the film could have done with some thrilling moments of action to make it a really good thriller, but overall I enjoyed my time watching it, and Clive Owen is just so watchable that it makes it a pleasure to watch it anyway.

B+

A whip smart and engaging film, though one should have the right expectations: this is a suspense film in a deliberate, downcast, super subtle way, not The Bourne Identity. The patient, though, will be rewarded with an atmospheric and thoughtful saga of MI5-versus-the-IRA intrigue, anchored by a driven and hypnotic performance by Andrea Riseborough and concluding with a few twists and turns I found riveting and surprising, not predictable and rote. Clive Owen is also in fine, focused form, though I wish his character were explored to a greater extent. His decisions might have even more impact if his character's personal history was given even half the time and shading devoted to the heroine's.

B+

I knew you would like it.