Lakelands (2023)

Éanna Hardwicke turns in a solid performance here as "Cian". He works on his family farm with his father, is a regular on the local football team - and is also quite partial to a mischievous pint (or six). It's whilst out on the latter that he gets beaten up in an alleyway. Taken home and left bruised and embarrassed, he thinks little more of it - despite having severe headaches and dizzy spells that suggest that he might have a concussion. Meantime, his long-time friend "Grace" (Danielle Galligan) has returned to their village to care for her declining father. The two must now come to terms with the changes that are in the offing to both of their lives. There's a chemistry between the two, and also an effective one between Hardwicke and his father (Lorcan Cranitch) who cares deeply for his son, but who has difficulties demonstrating that affection. The relationship with his teammates, those loyal and sensible and those more hot-headed tests his strength of character and reason and the real-time style pacing of the story illustrates well the effects on this young man - not just of the incident, but of his ageing and of his own gradual maturity into a character for whom aspects of his past life might no longer be suitable. This is observational in nature, it's a snippet of these people's lives leaving us without any definite conclusions - and I think that helps this resonate. It shows us the dangers of recklessness and thoughtlessness, as well as just how these behaviours can have ramifications far beyond those that might have appeared likely at the time. There is plenty of humour contained in the script, and it manages to deal with the complexities of the subject without straying into melodrama. Some nice photography adds richness, as does quite a strong score from Daithi O'Dronai and though it probably doesn't need a big screen, it's well worth a watch.