Review 733: Blitz

  

At times harrowing but at other times charming and inspirational, Blitz succeeds thanks to Steve McQueen’s steady hand and well rounded cast.

In London, during World War II, when George (Elliot Heffernan) is sent away to evacuate the city amidst the Blitz, instead defiantly goes on an adventure to return to Rita (Saoirse Ronan) his mother, only to find himself in immense peril from a succession of Dickensian characters.

From the very first frame, McQueen throws his audience right into the air raids 

It’s very Dickensian in its storytelling; it’s very much a boys own adventure set during one of the most terrible times in history. Little George’s story feels very influenced by Oliver Twist 

From a production standpoint, Blitz features amazing period detail, ranging from Blitz torn London to Buses the cinematography is beautiful with stunningly captured images of stark beauty. The score by Hans Zimmer is fantastic  McQueen also manages to some surprisingly effective and gripping action/chase scenes following George throughout war torn London which are equally unsettling as the Blitz scenes.

Newcomer Elliot Heffernan is a real find playing George. Fed up of bullies on the train while being evacuated and homesick, George inevitably decides to jump ship and begins a perilous journey to get back to mummy Rita. George faces prejudice because of his race. The odds are always against George so seeing him survive by the skin of his teeth and using his wits is enthralling and emotionally satisfying. 

Saoirse Ronan (fresh off her mesmerising turn in the addiction drama The Outrun) is fabulous playing George’s mother Rita. Rita is determined, driven and headstrong. She will stop at nothing to find George  Much like Ronan’s breakthrough film Atonement, another film that took on the Blitz 

Hayley Squires and Erin Kellyman round out the cast playing co-workers of Rita at the factory Tilda and Doris