368. Making Noise Quietly; movie review

MAKING NOISE QUIETLY
Cert 15
92 mins
BBFC advice: Contains very strong language

On the anniversary of the Coventry Blitz which was very personal to the families of both of my parents, I contemplated the question: "How would I handle war?"
My mum and dad were babies when the Luftwaffe laid waste a beautiful medieval city which some may argue has never fully recovered nearly 80 years later.
They had close friends and relatives who lived on their nerves from childhood until death because of the incessant bombing that night.
But, interestingly, my grandparents also told stories of the camaraderie which was borne out of tragedy and adversity.
Dominic Dromgoole's Making Noise Quietly is comprised of three very different short stories which show the devastating impact of war.
The first focuses on a Second World War conscientious objector (Luke Thompson) and a gay artist (Matthew Tennyson) whose ill-health prevents him from being called up.
They find a bond in being away from the mainstream as fighting continues across the Channel.
Moving on to 1982 and a Navy officer (Geoffrey Streatfeild) visits the house of a mother (Barbara Marten) after the death of her son in the Falklands conflict.
Their conversation is very moving with layers of their emotions stripped away as they go.
Finally, the longest segment is set in Germany's Black Forset in 1996 where a Holocaust survivor (Deborah Findlay) finds herself trying to create peace between a disturbed young boy (Orton O'Brien) and his violent stepfather (Trystan Gravelle).
This is particularly powerful and all three characters find themselves taking three steps forward and then two steps back in their respective rehabilitations
Translating stage plays to the big screen doesn't always work - I think of Jude Law and Michael Caine in Sleuth as an example.
However, this adaptation from Robert Holman's play is deep, unusual but largely and unexpectedly satisfying.
Once again, it is evidence that big bucks aren't always needed in quality film-making.

Reasons to watch: Deep and unusual take on the effects of war
Reasons to avoid: All talk and no action

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: Very brief
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? During the Second World War, following the National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939, there were nearly 60,000 registered Conscientious Objectors. Special Conscientious Objection Tribunals chaired by a judge.

Final word. Dominic Dromgoole: "It was a privilege to make these films with six of my favourite actors, whose virtues of skill, subtle observation, truth and imagination exemplify the best in our acting tradition." 

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