(rated Not rated, 92 mins.) Based on the memoirs of the noted author/poet Brendan Behan comes the story of a 16-year old republican, on a bombing mission from Ireland to Liverpool during WWII. Apprehended and imprisoned in Borstal, a reform institute for young offenders Brendan (Shawn Hatosy) is suddenly forced to live face-to-face with those he perceived as “the enemy”. Tossed into an emotional vortex with a new friend, Charlie (Danny Dyer), Behan is forced to discover new meanings of love, loss and bigotry. Michael York portrays the headmaster while daughter Liz (Eva Birthistle) gives Behan even more to contemplate in recognizing life’s simpler pleasures. Directed by Peter Sheridan, brother of Jim Sheridan, producer (My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father) the tale spiritually evolves Behan into reflections of his own inner truths accomplished with skilled and seemingly simple acting.
