Liam (2000)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writer:

Jimmy McGovern (written by)

Release Date:

23 January 2001 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Big Heroes Come In Small Packages.

Plot:

A family falls into poverty during the Depression.

Plot Keywords:

Poverty | Xenophobia | Liverpool | Judaism | Anti Semitism

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Ian Hart	...	Dad
Claire Hackett	...	Mum
Anthony Borrows	...	Liam
David Hart	...	Con
Megan Burns	...	Teresa
Anne Reid	...	Mrs. Abernathy
Russell Dixon	...	Father Ryan
Julia Deakin	...	Auntie Aggie
Andrew Schofield	...	Uncle Tom
Bernadette Shortt	...	Lizzie
David Carey	...	Lizzie's husband
David Knopov	...	Mr. Samuels
Jane Gurnett	...	Mrs. Samuels
Gema Loveday	...	Jane Samuels
Martin Hancock	...	David

Also Known As:

Liam (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for some nudity and language.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK | Germany | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | France:U | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R | Canada:AA

Filming Locations:

Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company:

Diaphana Films

Soundtrack:

Some of These Days

The realities of life through the eyes of an innocent.

When little Liam's father loses his job during the Depression, the family struggles to hold things together. As the world around them comes apart, we see how everyone in the family deals with the stress in their own way. Liam's dad joins the fascists, his brother attends secret meetings of the socialists, his sister goes to work as a housekeeper for a wealthy Jewish family, and Liam searches for answers in Catholicism, under the strict guidance of his haggard mum, his teacher, and the local priest.

As life becomes increasing more insecure, people begin to turn more desperately to their own belief system for answers. Religious, ideological, class and family ties all compete for primacy. We see Protestant versus Catholic, gentile versus Jew, fascist versus socialist, neighbor versus neighbor and father versus son. Unfortunately, life is not so simple as that, and each family member finds themselves torn between their loyalty to their loved ones, and their own pride and perception of righteousness. The tragic climax leaves no doubt as to the director's own perspective.

The young actor who plays Liam is perfectly cast as an innocent child forced to deal with the harsh realities of life. Although reminiscent of some recent films, this one is more raw than "Life is Beautiful" and more genuine than "Billy Elliot." This is not a movie for anyone who is merely seeking an escape, as it demands an intellectual commitment from the viewer. And while it makes some profound points beautifully, it ultimately leaves you with more questions than answers.