Back into the realm of fiction again today with this first time feature film.
Wildfire
Dir. Cathy Brady / Dur. 85 mins
Strand:- Dare
In A Nutshell:- Kelly returns home to her sister Lauren in Northern Ireland, having been missing presumed dead, stirring up old family business…
The Good:- First time feature director Cathy Brady does a good job of drawing you into the lives of these sisters, damaged by their loss of their mother and the ambiguity surrounding it that is still a source of trauma for the both of them. The gradual unfolding of the full details of what has gone on in the past works well and is drip-fed out at the right pace - it’s not about surprise revelation but about the characters coming to terms with and accepting what has gone on in their past. Nora-Jane Noone and Nika McGuigan are the core of the film and do a sterling job of making the characters compelling enough for you to stick with them on their journey.
The Bad:- I’m not 100% convinced about the actual ending - the emotional resolution for the characters works but the specifics of how they get there feel a bit like they’re from another film; it just felt slightly like it was stretching things a little bit in order to get the resolution. As so often in this section, it’s a minor complaint.
The Verdict:- It’s a character piece fuelled by sterling performances form the two main leads who convincingly portray the complex relationships that can exist between siblings, especially those who have been through traumatic events. The tight running time keeps the interest going through the (partially successful, in my opinion) ending.
Sombre Note:- This film was Nika McGuigan’s final film before her tragic death in 2019 at the age of 33, having suffered and recovered leukaemia as a child but ultimately dying from cancer-related illness. The film is dedicated to her memory.
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