Blitz
The Saltburn Drainpipe

Review by The Saltburn Drainpipe Patron

Blitz 2024

★★★★½

Watched 04 Dec 2024

So this film has been clouded in a very weird but somehow expected controversy that is going to inform my entire review. You’ll see why if you keep reading. 

The first I heard of this movie was people posting a poster that had two black characters on it and saying how ‘woke’ it is to have a movie set in war era London that featured black characters. Watching this, I realise that those people are who the movie is really commenting on. As always, Steve McQueen has created a movie with layers upon layers.

This movie does feature black characters. And south Asian characters. And Jewish characters. And white characters. They make up the point of the film. It tackles an era in London and a specific event that hasn’t often been covered. The blitz was horrible. And on top of that it was a time when a city banded together beyond race or creed and just carried on. McQueen understands that in a way I don’t think any other director has. I cried at this movie, genuinely. 

And the acting? Ronan is of course fantastic. Our young lead Elliot Heffernan is really great and manages to avoid the ‘harry potter’ blank stare young actors can often have. And Benjamin clementine? He’s barely in the film, for all the hate he has been given online, and yet he is such a strong heart for the movie. He reminds me of my dad to be honest and I wept at one moment he is involved in. 

So many people are fuming at the simple sight of black and brown people in England in a movie when they historically would have been there. My Nigerian ancestors fought in World War Two so I guess it’s personal. This film understands that and uses it to make you think. And it’s great. Go watch it.

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