sign in
register
Watch
NBC fuboTV Peacock Premium
+9
Belfast
Belfast
+9
JustWatch
Your probable score
?
Belfast

Belfast

2021
Drama
1h 38m
A young boy and his working class family experience the tumultuous late 1960s.

Directed by:

Kenneth Branagh

Screenwriter:

Kenneth Branagh

Starring:

Ciarán Hinds, Judi Dench, Michael Maloney, Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Jude Hill, Lewis McAskie, Josie Walker, Máiréad Tyers, Ian Dunnett Jnr, Frankie Hastings, Nessa Eriksson

Genre:

Drama

Country:

UK

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
Update history
Suggest edit

Belfast

2021
Drama
1h 38m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 47.91% from 767 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(768)
Compact view
clear
Compact view
Show
Sort
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 23 Feb 2022
93
74th
One of the biggest surprises for me this year. It’s such a touching movie, handled with so much care by a Kenneth Branagh. It’s beautifully photographed and directed. I dug the soundtrack quite a bit too. I personally think the movie got better and better as it went along and all of the acting was great (LOVED Caitriona Balfe). It’s short, cute, and has a surprising amount of weight and emotion. I love that it’s mostly pretty lighthearted and easily paced. Great film.
Rated 23 Feb 2022
corbadCorbad
Rated 04 Jan 2022
85
89th
A beautiful picture of family and place well shot and excellently performed - though the grandparents steal the show. Despite the ever-present juxtapositions of childhood and violence, the threat inside the family (illness and division) is never matched by exterior threat, and consequently the film feels, perhaps, a little too safe. Still, lovely and warm.
Rated 04 Jan 2022
jlfmJLFM
Rated 17 Nov 2021
48
17th
A fairly tepid coming-of-age historical drama that unsuccessfully splits its attention between a less-than-vividly-rendered family struggle and indulgent non-sequiturs inspired by Kenneth Branagh's childhood. Chockfull of pretty (albeit hollow) images and solid performances which ensures it checks all the boxes of your typical handsome, but inert, awards season vegetable mush.
Rated 17 Nov 2021
jthuskyjthusky
Rated 09 Nov 2021
84
87th
Extremely charming coming-of-age tale that manages to balance the seriousness of the Troubles with the naive, optimistic mind of a child. Lovely performances from every cast member; at times it seems tailor-made for Balfe to pick up a Best Supporting Actress nomination, though Hinds, Dornan and Dench are all just as brilliant. If I had any complaints, I'd say it's a bit too treacly and "Oscar-baity," but it's a good story well told with a lot of heart.
Rated 09 Nov 2021
joelwatchesmoviesjoelwatchesmovies
Rated 19 Feb 2022
9
92nd
A beautiful batch of memories (the present-day in-colour intro is a nice touch) gorgeously shot, lovingly soundtracked, and wonderfully performed. The sharp tonal shifts from brutal violence to charming childhood innocence are jarring and undermine the impact of the former but they feel authentic to the film's recollection patchwork perspective, which Branagh sews perfectly, finding all those sweet spots of significance in the past for the present: "I'm going nowhere you can't find me."
Rated 19 Feb 2022
bownBown
Rated 31 Jan 2022
75
34th
Unbelievably gorgeous movie with a killer cast (that kid was a hell of a find) but otherwise lacking. It’s fairly easy to like, quite warm and funny a lot of the time, but doesn’t paint more than a very basic picture of the issues at the time and felt like a veeeery generic coming-of-age story in many ways. It’ll probably win BP over Power of the Dog because the Academy are still pissy about Netflix lol
Rated 31 Jan 2022
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 21 Dec 2021
64
27th
Frustrating, unfocused remembrance is clearly deeply felt by Branagh, but he can't seem to decide between a simplistic, child's eye view of the events or a more sophisticated (and meaningful) take on the political atmosphere in 60s Belfast. This results in the dramatic elements feeling superficial and short-changed, while the "child's world" remains unexplored. Hampered by the material, the actors do their best, with an underused Dench and Hinds standing out.
Rated 21 Dec 2021
zwykzwyk
Rated 20 Dec 2021
60
34th
The tone of the story can be seen as a representation of the facts through the eyes of the young boy. This would justify some of acting, the joyfulness of the kids, and it also helps understand the characters affections and feelings. But, still, the tone creates a sense of shallowness, which prevents the story from actually looking credible and being emotionally effective. The movie attempts to show a historical real life story, but it feels like a cheap fictionalization of reality.
Rated 20 Dec 2021
canadianorcanadianor
Rated 10 Dec 2021
40
23rd
I wanted to like this more than I did. It's fine, but it just doesn't resonate terribly well with me. Not to mention it feels a bit like a stage-play, taking place all on one street. I understand it's supposed to be the world through a child's eyes, but there's not much there. Conversations and issues feel breezed through, and yet 'Belfast' sags in the middle around the third time they have the same set of conversations. It's good enough, but I couldn't recommend it to anyone.
Rated 10 Dec 2021
bentienbentien
Rated 12 Dec 2022
80
93rd
A beautiful homage to classic filmmaking, Irish culture and a deeply personal take on top of it. Branagh's best film and one of the best of it's kind.
Rated 12 Dec 2022
p_u_l_pP u l p
Rated 12 Nov 2022
35
22nd
Wait, are you trying to hide behind your messy mix of cute shots? 🤔
Rated 12 Nov 2022
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 19 Jul 2022
41
20th
Not even the enjoyable type of Oscar bait. The soundtrack got on my nerves, I don't think the cinematography is half as good as some are suggesting, and Branagh's direction is full of obnoxious choices that draw attention without serving purpose.
Rated 19 Jul 2022
magdabagmagdabag
Rated 12 Apr 2022
91
82nd
This isn't anything I probably would've watched if It hadn't been nominated for several Oscars, but I'm so happy I did. I personally love putting myself i another people's shoes and seeing how other people from other places and times live(d) their lives. Learning about the violence in Belfast and how It affected the people was eye-opening and devastating and heartwarming and just so damned beautiful. I loved this and would recommend for any film buff. I give 9 stolen chocolates out of 10.
Rated 12 Apr 2022
kasperlKasperL
Rated 25 Mar 2022
80
86th
A surefooted and cozy tale. The kid is charming, but it's Balfe (the female lead in 'Outlander') who steals the show.
Rated 25 Mar 2022
natebarriosnatebarrios
Rated 19 Mar 2022
45
13th
Belslow
Rated 19 Mar 2022
slugslug
Rated 28 Feb 2022
1
0th
A disgrace.
Rated 28 Feb 2022
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 23 Feb 2022
60
34th
Bland grandma movie. Imagine watching star trek then going outside to take a shit on the turlet. Oi I'm religious OI IM DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS OI PUTTEM UP
Rated 23 Feb 2022
difontaineDifontaine
Rated 15 Feb 2022
82
82nd
Charmingly joyous, which is a feat given it's set during the Troubles of Northern Ireland of the late 60s. It's not meant to be a hard hitting historical account, it's the memories of a kid. Caitriona Balfe deserved a bunch of awards, she is the "glue" of the film. The kid does well also.
Rated 15 Feb 2022
christofchristof
Rated 23 Jan 2022
58
16th
Is it possible to have a chocolate-box sentimental version of sectarian violence? Turns out, yes you can. A poor-mans-cinema-paradiso for 'The Troubles'.
Rated 23 Jan 2022
karlsonkarlson
Rated 23 Jan 2022
30
4th
It starts off as a travel-commercial with the cheesy music and the heli-shots (come to Belfast! It's beautiful, nice, and there is art to find!) and then becomes an annoying, theatrical, clumsy, very, very boring... travel-commercial..? (come to Belfast! Yes we have bombed the shit out of eachother in the past, but we also have innocent children that smile two yard broad and they might not bomb you when you travel here!)
Rated 23 Jan 2022
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 12 Jan 2022
50
51st
okay movie
Rated 12 Jan 2022
jagarnyfikenjagarnyfiken
Rated 13 Dec 2021
38
14th
At one point you have to decide where you're gonna milk that sympathy from. From the kid? Poor old Pop? Hotties Pa and Ma? Having a lot of beautiful elements such as these glamorous characters, tragic memories, happiest moments just doesn't mean you have enough to make a proper film out of them. Branagh's Belfast is just a good example for this common writing problem. And I'm not even talking about the position that the film takes on the political and historical responsibilities of this story.
Rated 13 Dec 2021
montycircusMontyCircus
Rated 05 Dec 2021
60
69th
A little slice-of-life of an important and impactful place and time. Nothing about it screams "Best Picture Nominee", but it is alright.
Rated 05 Dec 2021
schnofelschnofel
Rated 02 Dec 2021
20
5th
Rather than wrapping my head around this stultifying, inauthentic try-hard embarrassment, I'd like to just recommend some Van Morrison songs, like the astonishing nine minutes of "Take It Where You Find It."
Rated 02 Dec 2021
doyler29doyler29
Rated 19 Nov 2021
70
42nd
Branagh's autobiographical depiction of his childhood home is a very easy film to like. Despite being about violence and civil unrest, it's a very warm and affectionate portrait of the place he was born, and makes it pretty clear why it was difficult for his family to leave. Hill is a pretty magnificent find, and Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds are wonderful as his grandparents.
Rated 19 Nov 2021
redrhumRedRhum
Rated 07 May 2024
6
37th
Beautiful cinematography, great acting, but felt quite indulgent: the story was very long and drawn out for what it was. Would this have been made if it wasn't Kenneth Branagh's story?
Rated 07 May 2024
jpfergusonJPFerguson
Rated 20 Feb 2024
15
0th
My most hated type of film. Way too cutesy and preachy for my liking, and it's the worst kind, that is of the WASP variety (I can say that as my forebears are WASPs). Also, it seems to be riding on the coattails of 'Jojo Rabbit' (blatantly so in some cases). It does have one redeeming feature, and that is that my Dad would've loved it because of the Van Morrison music.
Rated 20 Feb 2024
andaybandayb
Rated 24 Jan 2024
63
58th
it's highly watchable, albeit viewing the troubles from a boy's naive viewpoint. i'm not sure the light-hearted tone of the movie jives with serious sombre reality of the era, but this decision has made the movie more palatable. branagh made his dream movie and he seems to have made it the way he wanted it.
Rated 24 Jan 2024
kadikoykadikoy
Rated 14 Jan 2024
80
89th
Çok tatlı 1 aile hikayesi. Jude Hill dahil bütün oyuncuların döktürdüğü film, babasının uzak yerde çalıştığı için sadece haftasonu görüp annesi ve ağbisiyle yaşayan Buddy'nin hikayesini izliyoruz. Kenneth Branagh kendi Roma'sını yazmış. Ama banliyö hikayesi o kadar tatlı ki. Hele ki o güzel siyah beyaz sinematografi. Sanat yönetmenliği muhteşem. Aile ilişkileri öyküsü muazzam. Filmin sonunda, evden ayrılmak. Chitty Chitty Bang Chitty Bang Chitty Chitty Bang.
Rated 14 Jan 2024
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 15 Nov 2023
75
62nd
A sweet and poignant memory of a community thrown into turmoil. Brilliantly told through the eyes of a young boy who can't retreat far enough into his imagination.
Rated 15 Nov 2023
ofterdingenOfterdingen
Rated 16 Oct 2023
85
97th
Loveable.
Rated 16 Oct 2023
nanabourNanabour
Rated 24 Sep 2023
75
44th
Warm and funny and full of music
Rated 24 Sep 2023
sabysimssabysims
Rated 02 Nov 2022
50
2nd
The opening scene was so unrealistic, choreographed and contrived I thought it was a musical. The acting was like theatre.. Hammy. The rest just seems very predictable, nothing creative happened. Maybe it gets better. I just stopped after around 15 minutes as it failed to grip.
Rated 02 Nov 2022
biggerkevinbiggerkevin
Rated 28 Sep 2022
3
27th
why were his parents so hot
Rated 28 Sep 2022
ktappektappe
Rated 24 Sep 2022
82
58th
It is a tricky thing to write a comedy that is set during The Troubles, but here it is. It is indeed a good coming of age film that touches on the surface of the facts of life during this period. But it also whitewashes many things, such as by having the family be financially secure so they can rise above the financial issues that were fundamental to The Troubles. Worth seeing but is not as gritty as it could or should have been.
Rated 24 Sep 2022
minorsageMinorsage
Rated 05 Sep 2022
65
41st
Historical fiction. Not saying things like this didn't happen, just that I didn't expect it to be like a documentary.
Rated 05 Sep 2022
slaterman2slaterman2
Rated 08 Aug 2022
54
14th
Yeah, I hate to say it, I could see why this became one of the villains of the award season. It had its moments; I loved the use of color in the theater scenes. But for the most part it was a bore. Very thin story and very little real drama. A disappointment.
Rated 08 Aug 2022
dawdlingpoetDawdlingPoet
Rated 17 Jul 2022
80
79th
This is a charming film, with a real sense of nostalgia about it, even though it is set in the troubles and so there are some scenes featuring violence and mention about the Catholics vs the Protestants etc. of course. It features some pretty decent performances from a solid cast, including Dame Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan and Caitriona Balfe (of 'Outlander' fame), among others. Its very much a film showing things through the eyes of said child and focussing on the innocence of childhood.
Rated 17 Jul 2022
vialov3sgyuvia_lov3sgyu
Rated 10 May 2022
100
70th
im not ashamed to say i shed tears at the end. nostalgic even though i never expericned it. gorgeous movie
Rated 10 May 2022
drrobertdr_Robert
Rated 28 Apr 2022
3
41st
Mot en fond av starten på ”The Troubles” avhandlas en del familjeliv, en del irländska schabloner och en hel del Van Morrison. Mysigt men inte jätteengagerande. En typisk trea.
Rated 28 Apr 2022
lenaclena_c
Rated 08 Apr 2022
5
92nd
I loved this film. So so beautiful and heart felt. The little boy was so good and carried the movie in his own humble way. So many beautiful shots in this "sad" black and white way of telling a simple but yet serious story. Definitely worth the Oscar nominations and win. *Very Good
Rated 08 Apr 2022
luordluord
Rated 31 Mar 2022
79
87th
Beautifully shot, tightly written and superbly acted, this is a warm hug of a movie; deeply affecting and resonant.
Rated 31 Mar 2022
aaautinAAAutin
Rated 30 Mar 2022
53
54th
(CUTFAST)
Rated 30 Mar 2022
kuroelKuroel
Rated 24 Mar 2022
64
65th
It’s a solid epoch and has great performances by the younger cast. I also enjoyed the more static camera work and intriguing angles that don’t distract from the story. Aside those points, it really has nothing that will stick with you long after the film.
Rated 24 Mar 2022
kavuKavu
Rated 21 Mar 2022
89
92nd
Highly enjoyable, with excellent acting and nicely built story.
Rated 21 Mar 2022
ericamblerericambler
Rated 18 Mar 2022
69
43rd
Follows the playbook pretty closely for a project so close to the filmmaker's heart, but wistful sweetness and winning performances make it worthwhile.
Rated 18 Mar 2022
psimpsim
Rated 17 Mar 2022
72
35th
A solid mash-up of a historical drama and a coming-of-age movie, that avoids some of the usual genre trappings by focusing on the perspective of a child, but sometimes at the expense of providing context for what's happening.
Rated 17 Mar 2022
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 16 Mar 2022
30
5th
The most generic autobiographical, deeply personal film you could think of -- a boy growing up in the shaky 1960s as a mere universal tale of lost innocence, good old times at the movies and shit. At least is 98min long and the cast is good, and Van Morrison. But the whole thing is just so flat.
Rated 16 Mar 2022
semioticussemioticus
Rated 14 Mar 2022
71
34th
I mean, it’s pleasant to watch and everything but there’s nothing memorable in there. Nothing that’ll stick with you. Could’ve done a bit more with the characters and the plot/context.
Rated 14 Mar 2022
iamianimaniamianiman
Rated 13 Mar 2022
71
84th
Moving on is the hardest thing for me to do, this movie hits me hard
Rated 13 Mar 2022
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 11 Mar 2022
58
29th
I'll start with the good--Balfe was great and the grandfather was funny. I'm not really sure what else there was here. The drama (outside of Balfe) and tension felt very after-school special. The whole thing felt like it couldn't really commit to its premise of viewing the events through the eyes of a child because that would have meant being more subtle about the Troubles. Maybe it's because I'm in the middle of watching Derry Girls and this just feels bland in comparison.
Rated 11 Mar 2022
borasevilmisborasevilmis
Rated 11 Mar 2022
56
36th
Oldukça gerçek ve esaslı bir film olsa da yönetmen Kenneth Branagh'ın çok kişisel bir film yapması bu eserini izlemeyi biraz güçleştiriyor.
Rated 11 Mar 2022
feritdgnferitdgn
Rated 10 Mar 2022
50
22nd
To be honest, this might be the most overrated movie of 2021. I would say the first half hour of Belfast was impressive. But then it slowly dissipates. While Kenneth Branagh did a great job at directing, I can't say the same for his script. By the way, Caitriona Balfe should have received an Oscar nomination. Choosing Judi Dench instead is nonsense.
Rated 10 Mar 2022
stuie299stuie299
Rated 08 Mar 2022
75
45th
It's a charming enough movie, with not much to criticize, but also not much to excite. Jude Hill was good as Buddy. The cinematography was nice in a few places. The jazzy score is well done, but the sound track...did they really need to include 10 Van Morrison songs? The only thing I really had a problem with was the central conflict. I think the movie showed its hand a little by pushing so hard for them to leave, and didn't set up a credible enough reason for them to want to stay in Belfast.
Rated 08 Mar 2022
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 04 Mar 2022
45
5th
69protestantriotslol+cheatedtogethigherseatnexttoherbutshegottoolowerlol+barelypaidattentionbutcoolgrandpastuff
Rated 04 Mar 2022
vgnpwrzvgnpwrz
Rated 23 Feb 2022
43
29th
Disappointing. I was really looking forward to this movie but it let me down. Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench are great. However, the movie tries way too hard even as far as being in black and white with a bend toward an unorthodox cinematography style. It’s got all the tricks but it can’t tell a damn story without being cheesy and awkward. It’s a shame too because the subject matter and story should tell itself but the film can’t get out of its own way… C-
Rated 23 Feb 2022
mike365365mike365365
Rated 19 Feb 2022
68
57th
Is it a coincidence that the writer's family happened to be one of the few that stood up against bigotry? A good film anyway.
Rated 19 Feb 2022
imomercetinImOmerCetin
Rated 11 Feb 2022
70
57th
I liked the boy and Ciarán Hinds, everything else was decent.
Rated 11 Feb 2022
topaz024topaz024
Rated 31 Jan 2022
60
12th
some affecting new perspectives, but also a fair amount of cringe. the humor feels weirdly ill-fitting, and also is not funny. a climactic scene feels embarrassingly amateurish. branagh's first original feature screenplay, and boy does it show
Rated 31 Jan 2022
mandymandy
Rated 27 Jan 2022
7
73rd
Definitely a crowd pleaser, lots of heart and humanity, beautifully shot, written and acted. However, though it is looking back through the eyes of a child, it is a bit too saccharine.
Rated 27 Jan 2022
teemukeskteemukesk
Rated 14 Jan 2022
76
30th
A nice glimpse into a life of the 60s Belfast. Overall very well directed and a good cast, but I think it lacks something. It could've dove deeper into the situation in Belfast, but Branagh chose to keep it simple and sweet.
Rated 14 Jan 2022
mspraguemsprague
Rated 11 Jan 2022
70
60th
Entertaining.
Rated 11 Jan 2022
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 10 Jan 2022
90
88th
lovely small (but HUGE) story, masterpiece script and great acting
Rated 10 Jan 2022
obtiosovobtiosov
Rated 10 Jan 2022
55
16th
The problem with this one is that it is way too aware of its affectionate and warm moments. Also, this probably has the hottest parents in a movie I remember since Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain in "Tree of Life"? (Possibly, B&W did its trick on me)
Rated 10 Jan 2022
filliganFilligan
Rated 22 Dec 2021
70
21st
While the cast and music elevate the material, it feels too much like a truncated riff on ROMA. Its biggest fault may be its cinematography; if framing was all there was to the art, the film would look grand, but it possesses an unbearable flatness, a motion-smoothed oddness, at times feeling like it wants to auto-focus as if filmed on a smartphone. It is a truly ugly and distracting presentation. Overall, stunted and difficult to emotionally invest in despite the admirable talent on display.
Rated 22 Dec 2021
obdurateObdurate
Rated 10 Dec 2021
60
23rd
It works better when it's being comedic. I chuckled a few times, especially at the grandfather, who was the best part. Any interaction with him was worth the price of admission. Some of the drama was effective. But some of this was way too corny though. It tried so hard to turn the neighbourhood into a character, with scenic shots (often time marrying them to upbeat music) and slice of life shit, but it never amounted to anything substantial. Didn't feel tumultuous either. Not bad, overrated.
Rated 10 Dec 2021
therealj_roTheRealJ-Ro
Rated 05 Dec 2021
70
42nd
I'm a sucker for not only a good period piece, but also a good coming of age, so Belfast has composite pieces which lend themselves to my various predispositions. A strong ensemble performance headlined (to me) by Balfe and Hill, but I can't put this on the level of the best I've seen from either genre I mention above. It sits firmly as both a second-tier coming of age and, due to the choices in the way the Troubles are presented, a second-tier period piece as well. Still worth seeing though!
Rated 05 Dec 2021
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 02 Dec 2021
50
35th
Historically inaccurate fairy tale of Belfast in the very late 60's. All things people and places were too clean with wildly out of place for the time things like a coloured teacher and Mr Singh shop. Ciaran Hinds and Judi Dench fitted in perfectly and reminded me of my own grandparents.
Rated 02 Dec 2021
darrenDarren
Rated 30 Nov 2021
65
36th
There’s definitely some too Irish moments for me but it was very sweet and childlike. Branagh actually able to create the feeling of enormity that you feel as a child for your community even if it is like a three block radius. The protestants were the bad guys in Ireland tho
Rated 30 Nov 2021
seethruskinSeethruskin
Rated 29 Nov 2021
3
24th
Pleasant enough but could use some subtitles
Rated 29 Nov 2021
gamul1Gamul1
Rated 26 Nov 2021
90
81st
Very well done and enjoyable. But a little slow as well. Could easily be a movie you see on TV rather than the big screen.
Rated 26 Nov 2021

Collections

Loading ...

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

Loading ...