Austin Blitz Film Festival Review: Steve McQueen Directs Stunning, Tense, and Touching War Drama

A World War II drama with a colorful cast may seem like a typical awards show, but in the hands of a brilliant director like Steve McQueen, it could be so much more. McQueen Blitz it’s a technically masterful and narratively impressive film that uses the formula of its genre to create one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful films of the year.

Blitz Review

Blitz The story follows a mother and son who must fight their way to each other in World War II London during a horrific period of air raids on the city. While there have been many films about trying to stay alive during war, we rarely see one set on the home front, and in many ways, watching the horrors of war against a backdrop that should be as comfortable as home does what we do . see more and more terrifying things.

Simply put, Blitz It’s two hours of pure stress. While much of the film is undoubtedly sentimental, McQueen’s script moves in directions that will almost certainly take audiences by surprise. One scene in the first act is one of the most unexpected and shocking things you’ll see this year, and it does a great job of setting the tone and emotional stakes of the film.

At times it may feel as if Blitz scattered, with frequent flashbacks to moments from the past, be it glimpses of moments in the characters’ lives or even glimpses of the highlights of London’s history. While these scenes may seem to hinder the pacing at first, they serve two important purposes. First, they provide a reprieve from the incredibly stressful times around them. They then also create an effective juxtaposition, developing the idea of ​​the film. By the end of the film, it becomes clear how consciously McQueen constructed this story the way he did.

However, what really does Blitz His work with characters is so effective. In many ways this is a relatively simple war film, but the action goes beyond that as it is firmly rooted in the emotional storyline of a mother and her son. By rooting the story in this more universal journey, McQueen allows it to transcend the conventions of its genre.

Because this is a Steve McQueen film, there are also layers underneath the surface that explore socio-political themes. Throughout the film, the main character must come to terms with his identity as a mixed-race child growing up in the not particularly tolerant World War II era of London. While this is mostly a subplot, it does contribute to one of the most exciting moments of the film.

McQueen masters the technical elements of his film. The biggest highlight Blitz lies in its sound design, which completely envelops the viewer on the streets of London. From planes and bombs overhead to panicked souls on the streets, viewers will hear—and feel—everything. The cinematography, direction and editing are also strong, creating images that are not only gripping but truly powerful.

Of course, all eyes are on Saoirse Ronan for her performance in Blitzand rightly so – she’s incredible. Her work here is some of the most exciting, emotionally rich and mature she has ever done. However, despite her excellent performance, she does not give the best performance in the film. This is how complex the ensemble is Blitz has.

Young actor Elliot Heffernan gives perhaps the best performance as a child in any film this year. He has such a natural charm that gives him a captivating screen presence (which is important considering how much of the film he plays) as well as great chemistry with each of his co-stars. The expanded cast also features some memorable supporting performances, including a truly touching performance from Benjamin Clementine and a disgusting (but perfectly) villainous performance from Stephen Graham. Only Harris Dickinson feels completely underappreciated.

Is Blitz is it worth watching?

Steve McQueen has proven time and again that he can take stories and genres that are often traditional and tell them in a way that makes his work feel incredibly refreshing. Blitz is an emotional, tense and simply spectacular film about the Second World War that, it seems, only McQueen could create.

Blitz was screened at the 2024 Austin Film Festival, which ran from October 24 to 31. It will hit theaters November 22 and stream on Apple TV+.