Parents' Guide to

In the Name of the Father

By Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Great performances in electrifying true story of injustice.

Movie R 1993 133 minutes
In the Name of the Father Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 16+

Based on 2 parent reviews

doctora
doctora Parent of 5-year-old
May 30, 2022
age 16+

Tough watch for some great acting and a lot of injustice.

Daniel Day-Lewis is Daniel Day-Lewising once again. Leaving an indelible mark on a story that everyone should know about...how far we as a society are willing to allow absurdities to go before acting up against them. Although the story about the Guildford Four is horrific, the Maguire Seven is just pure madness...locking up a 14 year old and a 17 year old for bomb making...absolutely absurd. Although the film possesses courtroom histrionics...Emma Thompson sells it, but mostly because we want to buy it. After everything that has happened you at least want to see the guilty parties get yelled at.
JackBauer
JackBauer Adult
November 6, 2020
age 15+

Incredible movie! Must watch!

This is such an amazing movie. Cannot say anything negative about it as is so great. This is an inspiring true story. This movie shows the corruption of the government and how people whom have not done wrong but are still punished, fight for their freedom. Not suitable for young kids as the bad language, sex references, drug uses and violence. Daniel Day Lewis got nominated for an Oscar (which he should have won.) If you have not seen the movie then you must add to your watch-list.
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What's the Story?

In IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, which is based on a true story, Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a petty thief in Belfast, Ireland. While robbing some scrap metal in the early 1970s, he gets into trouble with the IRA, and is sent to London to live with his aunt. While there, he and his friend Paul Hill (John Lynch) fall in with a group of hippies, living all together in an abandoned flat. In October of 1974, a local pub is bombed, and Gerry finds himself arrested for the crime. The police, desperate to close the case, rush Gerry, his friends, his aunt, and even his father, Giuseppe (Pete Postlethwaite) through trial and send them all to prison. Giuseppe continues to fight for freedom, despite his failing health, while lawyer Gareth Peirce (Emma Thompson) helps from the outside. But Gerry must decide, at last, what he believes in and start to fight as well.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Director Jim Sheridan's film version of the true story of the Guildford Four is a little slow, but it still cooks up many electrifying moments, thanks largely to three fantastic performances. Co-written by Terry George, In the Name of the Father (1993) feels not unlike most other "based on a true story" movies in that it tries harder to nail down important details than it does in finding the emotional spaces between the details. It's also too long and a little too aware of its own importance. But the story it tells is a good one; the outrageous injustice committed against innocent people gets the blood boiling.

Day-Lewis, who had won an Oscar working with Sheridan before on My Left Foot, is astounding playing the not-very-likable Gerry, enormously selfish and quick to feel sorry for himself. The actor finds a genuine emotional core that makes him relatable. We're with him every step of the way. His scenes with Postlethwaite -- and there are thankfully quite a few of them -- are the best in the movie. Their troubled, touching relationship feels like it goes back years and is based in absolute truth. Thompson has a rather tacked-on role, but she rages in it. You can feel the fire in her belly. All three actors received Oscar nominations for their work, and the film received four other nominations, including one for Best Picture. (Look quick for Saffron Burrows and Tom Wilkinson in small, early roles.)

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about In the Name of the Father's use of violence. How intense is it? Does the "based on a true story" aspect make the violence more brutal?

  • How are drinking, smoking, and drugs depicted? Was smoking more prevalent during this time than now? Are there consequences?

  • What do you suppose might have been changed from the actual story to make this film? Were you inspired to research this subject?

  • What is the main character's relationship with his father like? How is it similar to your relationship with your father or son? How is it different?

  • What is the IRA? Why was there so much rage and anger around this incident?

Movie Details

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