tMF | The Movie-Fanatic

Every year there is that one (or two) particular performance that makes you exclaim- what fine acting! While Hollywood's big studios can come up with the most expensive sets and CGI effects and put one of their top filmmakers for the next big summer blockbuster, there is always that independent filmmaker who will come up with what really matters - an unforgettable movie with equally unforgettable performances -  Ryan Gosling's Dan Dune, the idealistic history teacher and crack addict, in Half Nelson is a fine example. Of course, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's tragic but defiant portrayal of Neil, the teenage hustler in Mysterious Skin also comes to mind. James McAvoy's naive, adventurous and sympathetic Dr. Nicholas Garrigan in The Last King of Scotland and Brian Jackson, the working class student in Starter for 10 are two other examples of such enduring performances.

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This year, perhaps the most brilliant character portrayal, is from one unexpected performer. If you've watched him sing in Across the Universe or saw him play cards in 21, then you'll agree with me about his almost 'quantum' turn as one of today's most compelling actors. Not that he was horrible in the movies mentioned, in fact, critics have already began to praise Jim Sturgess for his heartfelt and authentic performances. But as IRA informer Martin McGartland, in Fifty Dead Men Walking, he gave his finest performance yet.

At the center of the story is 22 year-old Martin McGartland (Sturgess) who, in real life, became involved implicitly with both sides of the conflict. The film details how he worked firstly for the IRA and was subsequently sought after and enlisted by the British police as a spy; leading him to live a perilous double-life.

McGartland is also an Irish Catholic, who vehemently opposes the British occupation of the country and believes in the cause of a united Ireland. However, when he begins to work for the IRA, he becomes a first-hand witness to some of the atrocities committed by them and begins to have doubts about his political standpoint. Meanwhile, a member of Special Branch, Fergus (Kingsley), wants him to become an informant on IRA activities. Initial attempts to recruit him are useless, but McGartland eventually accepts the proposition; the violence he had witnessed still being fresh in his mind, along with the offer of a substantial sum of money in return for his work. The remainder of the film is a tense and gripping set of events, all the while focusing on McGartland's inner conflict. He is portrayed as a confused young man, exploited by both sides and absorbed completely by the two equally tormenting responsibilities which he cannot escape: on one hand, he is betraying the cause which his ancestors had given their lives to for centuries – his long-standing belief of freedom for his country; but on the other hand he is stopping the all-too-real violence he encounters on a day-to-day basis which, no matter what history has taught him, he cannot find justification for. [ read more ]

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Says Cosmo Landesman at the Times:

[ Skogland ] has drawn first-rate performances from her mostly young cast and made a star out of Sturgess. So far, he has been stuck in awful movies such as the Beatles musical Across the Universe, but that should change now. We care about the fate of McGartland because Sturgess wins us over by a seductive screen presence — a mix of moral strength and a winning smile. [ read more ]

I'm no authority on the history of the IRA and of Northern Ireland, but the movie provided a fairly objective look at the violent conflict which has haunted its people - Catholics or Protestants. The actual Martin McGartland criticized the movie as being inclined towards the IRA plight, but I think that is not the case. If you want to watch a political thriller that is not preachy but informative without pushing you to take sides while being entertained as well, then Fifty Dead Men Walking is your best choice.

Sir Ben Kingsley was also superb as McGartland's handler and so are the other cast, particularly Kevin Zegers, Natalie Press and Tom Collins but this is Jim Sturgess movie, first and foremost.
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What's on your mind? Have you seen Fifty Dead Men Walking? Are you a fan of Jim Sturgess? What do you think of his performance in this highly-charged drama-thriller? Let us know what you think!

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