Finnegan On Films: Some New Surprises And Old Favourites At The Omniplex

.

James Finnegan looks at another Liam Neeson action flick and takes a trip to ‘Dreamland’ at Tralee Omniplex…

Liam Neeson is a much underrated actor.  He has that great virtue of sincerity that brings an authenticity to his roles that the scripts do not always support.

With the success of ‘Taken’, a mere twelve years ago, he has forged a new direction in a series of enjoyable action films, the latest of which is ‘Honest Thief’.

Operating in Boston, Tom Dolan is a slick thief who is known as the “In and Out Bandit”.

Continued below…

.

He is very successful and has accumulated a substantial amount of ill-gotten gains – nine million dollars to be exact!

However, there are some things valued above money, so when Tom falls for Annie Williams (Kate Walsh), he decides to turn himself into the FBI and return the loot to plea bargain a short jail sentence.

Liam Neeson in ‘Honest Thief’.

Without wishing to give too much of the plot away, the handover of the money goes very badly wrong.

Tom and Annie have to go on the run following an accusation of murdering an agent, of which, of course, they are innocent.

This is a typical “baddie trying to do good, while the goodies are really baddies” type of film, and as always Liam gives it everything.  In other words, it’s a good Saturday night “cops and robbers” film.

Another new offering is ‘Dreamland’, which also depends on the talent of its star to hold the story together.

In 1935, a small town in Texas is faced with the Great Depression, drought and severe dust storms.

Finn Cole and Margot Robbie in ‘Dreamland’.

A young man, Eugene (Finn Cole) lives with his mother, young half sister Phoebe and Step Dad, the local Police Deputy, George.  Eugene’s biological Dad is long gone, and his only escapism is in pulp magazine detective stores.

One night, while checking out an all but abandoned barn, he comes across Allison Wells (Margot Robbie), a wounded bank robber on the run.

Well, of course Eugene helps her by bringing her food and supplies, even stealing evidence, but what she really needs is a car to get to Mexico. Naturally, Eugene is completely smitten and ends up going on the run with her.

It is obvious that there are influences here from the films of Terrence Malick, especially ‘Days of Heaven’ especially with the setting, cinematography and narration from Phoebe, voiced by Lola Kirke.

However, the real confirmation in this film is the work of Margot Robbie.  She really is the lynch pin for the story, and this performance confirms, if proof were needed, that she is not only a great Film Star, but also a fine Actress.

This could have been a “by the numbers” performance, but she brings great nuances to the role.

There are also some Christmas classics available this week with the opportunity to enjoy such traditional films as Love Actually, the Live Action Cinderella (2015) , Die Hard and Elf and actually see them up on the big screen where they were intended to be watched. Enjoy and stay safe.