48 Angels

This is an excellent film for people who like to analyze symbolism, theme and philosophy. It's probably a lousy film for people who want a digestible story.

The plot goes something like this: A desperate boy sets out to meet Jesus and find a miracle. Along the way he finds other wanderers who are similarly searching for answers, though they may not know it. It feels a lot like a "road movie" except that most of it happens on the water.

A lot happens. Flashbacks occur. Strange, nameless & illusory characters appear and then disappear just as abruptly, and the effect may be disorienting on many people. But I think that's the point. Without being obvious about it, the filmmaker immerses us in a dream where everything seems to be fragmented, yet it's possible to grasp a central message if you think hard enough. Isn't that how all dreams are?

Adding to the dreamy, surrealistic feel is the excellent brooding landscape & weather of northern Ireland where this was filmed. I couldn't think of a more ideal setting. And the music really helps too.

There is a lot of religious symbolism, and very quickly we see that the story revolves around matters of faith, delusion and deception. A man may look like Jesus through the eyes of the faithful, but in reality he's just a criminal. Or is he really an instrument of god in a criminal form? Every character & every event has multiple layers, each layer corresponding to a level of belief or non- belief. And the interesting thing is perhaps it doesn't really matter.

Well, that's all I'll say because I don't want to ruin your enjoyment of piecing it together for yourself. The movie really is a puzzle--a cryptic dream which has a ton of interpretations.

Though very different from any movie I can think of, I would compare the style to Herzog's "Aguirre the Wrath of God" or maybe Wenders' "Paris Texas" or Tom Tykwer's "Heaven" or the "Decalogue" by Kieslowsky. All of these are excellent, airy films that ponder the nature of our existence & spiritual destiny.

After the heavy handed "Admit One" 'critic, allow me to advocate for the film from a foreigner point of view, that is (sorry for the broken English!). The scenery is beautiful, the acting great, the Irish brogue and the music fit in perfectly, some scenes are perfectly delicate (dialogue between Seamus and Grace about Columcille, the man "Darry" shaving), the plot is "different". No nudity, no sex and very little violence but quite a few issues such as faith, belief, forgiveness, commitment, life and death. The plot might be a bit hard to understand but it doesn't matter; the film is like some kind of dream on the water, maybe Seamus'mind wandering about. The question raised is "how to live in a country scattered by thirty years of civil war" and dealt with in an interesting way. At some point, this film reminded me of Bergman's "Seventh Seal", in a modest way. Strongly recommended to speculative persons.

.... I'm afraid that as well and noble the intention.. I found the movie to be pretty much a waste of time.

It covers some very sensitive and emotive topics, And there's nice scenery.. But that's about it.

I would have stopped watching it much earlier had I known what I know now... I was hoping for some profound redemptive conclusion.. and was kind of just left wanting really... As much as you might feel for the little boy and the story of him having cancer.. I think we've got to still be honest about when a film in terms of delivery, is good or bad.

The acting for a boy of his age was very good.. But as a film to watch and get anything from.. not really.