Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9297 in VHS
• Released on: 1998-09-01
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Formats: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 102 minutes

Amazon.com
Cal remains one of the finest films ever made about Ireland's contemporary troubles. It's a melancholy drama about a gentle 19-year-old Catholic in Northern Ireland (the title character, subtly played by John Lynch) who's haunted by his involvement with the IRA. He's attracted to a local widow (Helen Mirren) whose husband was murdered by an IRA assassin; Cal was a reluctant accessory to the killing. The attraction grows mutual between these lonely souls, but Cal's secret--and their inability to extract themselves from Ireland's violence--makes it impossible for love to blossom. Sensitively directed by Pat O'Connor, and enhanced by Mark Knopfler's fine, understated score, Cal tells a familiar story with quiet power and compassionate balance. Mirren, who won the Best Actress award at the Cannes film festival, matches Lynch with tender love in an atmosphere of hate. As Ireland continues to heal its political wounds, Cal is a quiet reminder that progress has been slow and rife with personal tragedy. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

The silences in this film say more than the best script.
As Cal, John Lynch offers a portrait of quiet desperation and stoicism. The madness of the "Troubles" is muted but remains powerfully evident so that not even love can withstand them. A dark and affecting film that leaves you wondering whether there will ever be an answer.

Once you come inside, there' s no way out!
This superb gem deals with the tribulations, disappointments and disillusions once the ideals face against the crude reality. John lynch is Cal a teenage boy who wants to sever his ties with the IRA. But the other side of the dramatis personae resides precisely in the fact, the widow of the policeman he helped murder, falls in love with him and he doubts if he must tell the sordid story or not.

Helen Mirren won her First Prize in Cannes as best actress in 1984 with this towering performance; (the second Prize in 1995 was awarded by The madness of King George). Ambitious and mature film that share all honors together with Hidden Agenda of Ken Loach.

A legendary icon of the Eighties.

Deliberate, concise, bleak filmmaking
A sad but engaging story about a sensitive young Irish lad, who reluctantly works for the local IRA, and helps kill a policeman, only to later find himself befriended by the man's unsuspecting family. The saddest thing about this movie is how little has changed since it was made. Nice chance to see Helen Mirren early in her career.