The Journey (2016)
PG-13   1 hour 34 minutes

watched on Netflix 11/17/2017






While this movie is primarily conversation concerning the background for the 2006 Northern Ireland peace talks, the director and actors have made this a film with no drag or unnecessary scenes. I was surprised with the excellent dialogue, beautiful cinematography, spot-on editing and flawless direction. More than 2/3 of this movie takes place inside a limousine or inside a government office. The high quality of the acting which included Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley, Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness, John Hurt as Harry Patterson and Freddie Highmore as Jack (the "chauffeur"), was never in doubt.  While this is not a documentary, the fact that Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness became close friends after the 2006 peace talks is verifiable. Their conversations are riveting. At the beginning of the closing credits are photographs of the actual men (Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness).