Belfast (2021 film)

By the taxing standards of the competition for Best Picture, the lightweight nature of “Belfast” could be considered refreshing. At ninety minutes and offering a coming-of-age tale from the eyes of an Irish youth with a taste for Van Morrison, it’s what would happen if “My Girl” was Oscar bait (and Irish). That said, it held my attention throughout while successfully conveying its emotional states, and that makes it better than at least two other Best Picture nominees. I don’t know, I found it easy to relate to a kid wondering why every adult is so damn angry and loud.

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