Blitz (2024)

December 15, 2024 4:04 PM

[TRAILER] In World War II London, nine-year-old George (Elliott Heffernan) is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita (Saoirse Roman) to escape the bombings. Defiant and determined to return to his family, George embarks on an epic, perilous journey back home as Rita searches for him.

Also starring Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clémentine, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, Stephen Graham, Leigh Hill, Mica Ricketts, Hayley Squires, Erin Kellyman.

Written and directed by Steve McQueen. Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Steve McQueen, Anita Overland, Adam Somner Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer for Apple Studios/Regency Enterprises/New Regency/Working Title Films/Lammas Park. Cinematography by Yorick Le Saux. Edited by Peter Sciberras. Music by Hans Zimmer.

81% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on Apple TV Plus. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (1 comment total)

This is, on a fundamental level, what I call a predicament film. George is in a predicament. He's trying to get home. His mom, looking for him, is in a predicament. Her lost kid is in danger. This all happens during the blitz. It's straightforward survival in a bad situation stuff.

It would be easy to sell this short because of that. But to me, this was a pretty interesting slice of history. The structure of the film reminds me of James Cameron's Titanic. It sets the predicaments of two people we are made to care about against a historical event that represents the hook. But the way the stories play out lets us a see a cross-section of people, of classes and backgrounds, and that's really the best part.

If this is (by design) less of a flashy technical showcase than Titanic, less gigantic, it's also written by a writer who handles dialogue and dramatic scenes better. It's still sort of the same setup though. And it does have some wow moments.

And hey, look for Paul Weller!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:12 PM on December 15, 2024