“Relax, we’re on the same side” is the hollow piece of
reassurance offered to MI5 agent Mac (played by Clive Owen) in Shadow Dancer, directed by Oscar
recipient James Marsh. This adaptation of Tom Bradby’s 1998
novel is set five years prior to the Good Friday Agreement and is inspired by
Bradby’s time as an ITN correspondent in Northern Ireland during the latter
stages of the Troubles. The political details of the novel are largely omitted
in order to keep the personal plight of single mother and IRA sympathiser Colette
McVeigh (played by Andrea Riseaborough) central to the story. Colette has been
pressured by Mac into becoming a government informant in order to avoid
incarceration at the expense of her biological and ideological brothers.
This is a gripping if uncomfortable and slow-burning psychological
thriller in which the tension is only ever let up in explosive episodes of bloodshed.
The prospects for the Republican residents of Belfast appear desperately bleak;
their economically deprived community is accentuated by the low-light and muted
colours captured on camera and repetitive returns to familiar locations
highlights their inability to escape their troubles. The cast are all adept at
portraying the inner conflict of people trying to lead ordinary lives or at
least give the impression they are. Riseaborough is superb as the insecure
lead, whose thoughts and drive remain a mystery throughout.
Violence has been the focus of the majority of films concerning
Ireland’s past and despite Shadow Dancer’s
proximity to the peace negotiations the sectarian conflict doesn’t show any
signs of letting up. Shadow Dancer’s reference
to the peace talks is discussed with indifference while the stance of both the Unionists
and Republicans during the funeral of an IRA man remains uncompromising. Exciting
but hardly uplifting drama.
4/5
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