The Plough and the Stars: A messy look at Irish history

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, it depends on how much you like stagey, black-and-white dramas that feel like they haven't quite figured out how to be a movie yet. If you have a soft spot for 1930s character actors shouting about patriotism, you’ll be fine. If you prefer your war films to have a bit of pacing, you should probably skip this one. It's not a disaster, but it’s definitely one of those movies that reminds you why we don't really film stage plays exactly like this anymore.

The whole thing feels a bit like it’s trying to be a serious political epic while also being a domestic comedy, and it doesn't quite pull off the juggle. One minute there’s a genuine crisis, the next everyone is squabbling over tea. It’s weirdly disjointed.

The vibe

Barbara Stanwyck is in here, which is usually a win, but she feels like she’s in a completely different movie than the rest of the cast. Everyone else is doing this very loud, very broad theatrical Irish thing that gets exhausting after about twenty minutes. It’s all very much look at me, I am being dramatic now!

There is this one scene in the pub where the camera just sort of sits there while people argue. It lasts forever. You can practically hear the director saying, "Okay, now everyone talk at once so it feels chaotic." It doesn't feel like chaos, though. It just feels like I’m sitting in the back of a loud bar waiting for my pint to arrive.

Random thoughts

• The dialogue is so dense with 'local color' that I honestly missed half the plot points.
• The lighting in the bedroom scenes is surprisingly moody, even if the acting is stuck in the rafters.
• I keep thinking about how much more interesting this would be if they just let the silence sit for a second.
• It reminds me a little bit of the chaotic energy in The Blarney Kiss, but with more guns and less charm.
• Why is there so much laundry hanging in the background of the revolution? It’s a very specific, weird choice.

It’s not as bad as a total dud like The Snowshoe Trail, but it’s definitely not a classic either. The movie gets noticeably better once the actual fighting starts, mostly because everyone finally stops talking and just starts running around. Finally, some action.

I left the film feeling like I’d just survived a loud family dinner. It’s got spirit, sure, but man, it really doesn't know when to quit. 🥃