--- title: "Belfast: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/belfast/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/belfast" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 27 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Belfast (2021): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 27 reviews: 19 positive, 7 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics warm to it. Nineteen of the 27 reviews are positive, and they agree on why: Branagh’s memoir of a Belfast childhood in 1969 is tender, funny and generous, told from a child’s height rather than from the barricades. The praise clusters on the cast, above all newcomer Jude Hill, with Hinds, Dench and the parents played by Dornan and Balfe close behind. The black-and-white photography and the Van Morrison songs come up again and again, almost always approvingly. The reservations are about sweetness. A recurring worry is that the film is rose-tinted, its streets too clean and its sectarian violence kept politely at a distance, and several reviews want more political context and a firmer grip on the family’s central dilemma. The spread is wide, from a five-star notice in The Times to a lone outright pan. The i Paper finds it a calculated tear-jerker with no grit, and Collider says the memories never gather into a story worth telling. ## The Times Rating ★★★★★. 21 January 2022. Branagh has made a masterpiece that is a deeply soulful portrait of a family in peril during the Troubles, with formal beauty, precise performances and textured writing. It mixes comic one-liners and Van Morrison tracks with honest emotional exposure at the director's peak. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/belfast-review-kenneth-branaghs-masterpiece-about-growing-up-during-the-troubles-ztg26tl3s) ## Variety Rating Critics Pick. 5 September 2021. Festival review. Kenneth Branagh returns to his roots with this wee memoir that borrows perhaps a bit too much from Alfonso Cuarón’s art-house coming-of-ager. It avoids many clichés in favor of a more personal look back through a child’s eyes, relying on sentimentality and Van Morrison songs. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/belfast-review-kenneth-branagh-1235056300/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 January 2022. Branagh's semi-autobiographical film is a tense yet playful memory piece that acknowledges the nastiness of sectarian violence while celebrating family bonds and working-class roots through strong performances. It warms the heart even as it confronts harsh realities. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/belfast-film-review-kenneth-branagh-jamie-dornan-catriona-balfe-b977658.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 12 October 2021. Branagh's autobiographical film is a warm and tender coming-of-age tale set during the Troubles, full of emotional generosity and wit. It captures the dilemma of whether to stay in or leave Belfast amid rising sectarian violence, with strong performances and monochrome cinematography. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/oct/12/belfast-review-kenneth-branagh-jamie-dornan-judi-dench) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 13 January 2022. Branagh delivers a soulful, sweet and uplifting cine-memoir of childhood during the Troubles that radiates sincerity and warmth despite the surrounding violence and family tensions, with particular credit to the young lead's performance and Van Morrison's songs. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/belfast-2022) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 January 2022. Belfast is a warm-hearted reverie of a turbulent time seen through a child's eyes, elevated by wit and generosity of spirit that makes the personal universal. It risks accusations of rose-tinted sentimentality but succeeds as a love letter to family and childhood. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/belfast-review-kenneth-branagh/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2021. The critic praises the film's emphasis on everyday childhood memories and humanity over gritty conflict, highlighting Branagh's stylish direction, the warm glow of ordinary life, and strong performances amid the Troubles. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-kenneth-branaghs-autobiographical-belfast.html) ## Empire — Ian Freer Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 20 January 2022. Branagh's big-hearted, emotionally direct memory movie finds the universal in the specific through charming anecdotes and luminous filmmaking, though it lacks dramatic heft or innovation. It is highly entertaining, slight but winning. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/belfast/) ## The Independent — Lindsey Bahr Rating 3/4. 10 November 2021. The film offers a child's-eye view of family life during the Troubles as a nostalgic, idealized love letter to Branagh's childhood home and relatives. It will divide audiences due to its sentimentality and broad appeal but succeeds through strong performances, especially the young lead. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/belfast-kenneth-branagh-childhood-van-morrison-catholic-b1955237.html) ## Financial Times — Danny Leigh Rating ★★★★☆. 20 January 2022. Sweetness and terror coexist in this story of a family forced to leave Northern Ireland, with a core of something profoundly real tied to the sorrow of leaving home. It can feel a little sugary at times but celebrates the curative power of mainstream movies and popular entertainment. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/01aff5d2-ad9c-4558-8b8f-5d16e2c04be9) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 September 2021. Festival review. Branagh's gentle, touching coming-of-age memoir set at the start of the Troubles is engaging and tender, with strong chemistry among the cast and a sympathetic young lead, though it is more intimate and personal than epic in scale. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/belfast-review/5163339.article) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Stephen Farber Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2021. Festival review. The critic finds Branagh's personal film a rewarding shift to family drama set against the Troubles but imperfect, praising the well-drawn characters, emotional emigration scenes, and performances by Dench and Hinds while noting insufficient political context and some dialogue issues. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/belfast-telluride-2021-1235008736/) ## The New York Times — Jeannette Catsoulis Rating Critic’s Pick. 11 November 2021. The critic finds Branagh’s cinematic memoir of his childhood in Northern Ireland a charming, rose-tinted thank-you note to the city and his parents. It is viewed largely through the eyes of a smart, cheery 9-year-old amid the destruction of an idyll, with warm performances and nostalgic scenes standing out. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/11/movies/belfast-review.html) ## Radio Times — Trevor Johnston Rating 3/5. This autobiographical drama offers an affectionate and engaging portrait of boyhood innocence amid the Troubles with a strong young lead, but it lacks precision and punch, with slack handling of the central dilemma and distracting pristine sets. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-o44cgj/belfast/) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 18 November 2021. The film is a private stash of memories that feels most alive when it turns to the consolations of home and the thrills of the big screen. The greatest threat comes from an aroma of sweetness rather than the stink of sectarian conflict. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/kenneth-branaghs-airbrushed-belfast) ## The Telegraph — Robbie Collin Rating 3/5. 20 January 2022. The film is oddly impersonal but features strong turns from Dornan and Balfe as parents, plus a marvellous scene in a social club that justifies much of it. It recalls Hope and Glory but misses some opportunities for sharper distinction in its autobiographical period piece. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2022/01/20/belfast-review-jamie-dornan-shines-kenneth-branaghs-tale-growing/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 2021. Branagh’s personal but muted story of childhood’s end offers warm, humorous scenes of family life from a child’s-eye view. It is nothing if not careful, with mirth mingling with melancholy, though the critic cannot say it is especially good. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-11-11/belfast-review-kenneth-branagh) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 17 January 2022. The film is a flawed but moving autobiographical portrait of the Troubles seen through a young boy's eyes, with strong praise for Jude Hill's performance and the director's personal investment, but criticism of narrative shambles, implausible plotting, and lack of precision. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/belfast-kenneth-branaghs-flawed-moving-portrait-troubles) ## The i Paper — Christina Newland Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 21 January 2022. The film pulls effectively at heartstrings with touching performances but feels overly pretty, clean, and simplistic, like a calculated tear-jerker or Hallmark card that lacks genuine grit for its complex subject. It is heart-wrenching yet rose-tinted. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/belfast-review-kenneth-branagh-the-troubles-northern-ireland-jamie-dornan-caitriona-balfe-1412975) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2021. Festival review. The critic finds Branagh's film a memorable and resonant coming-of-age story told through the eyes of a young boy amid the outbreak of the Troubles in 1969 Belfast. He singles out the stunning black-and-white cinematography and the standout performance by newcomer Jude Hill for particular praise. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2021/09/belfast-telluride-film-festival-review-kenneth-branagh-jamie-dornan-1234824023/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 4.5/5. 15 November 2021. The critic calls it Branagh's most personal, emotional, and perhaps finest film, finding nostalgic joy amid the Troubles through a child's episodic daily life and family bonds. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/belfast-kenneth-branagh-remembers-childhood-shakespeare/) ## Film Stories — Simon Brew Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 January 2022. The critic praises the film as a heartwarming, witty and human family drama shot with cinematic ambition, highlighting the strong ensemble cast and Branagh's affectionate, humorous take on his childhood memories amid the Troubles. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/news/belfast-review-kenneth-branaghs-awards-magnet-heads-to-uk-cinemas/) ## Paste — Tara Bennett Rating 8.8. 12 November 2021. Branagh captures a singular time and place in late-1960s Belfast with gentle grace and humor through the eyes of a young boy and strong ensemble performances. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/kenneth-branagh/belfast-review) ## HeyUGuys — Zehra Phelan Rating 4/5. 20 December 2021. Festival review. The critic calls it an enchanting love letter to Branagh's childhood, praising the pitch-perfect performances and the affectionate, innocent portrayal of family life and romance amid the backdrop of violence. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/belfast-review/) ## NME — Lou Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 20 January 2022. The critic views it as a classy, moving coming-of-ager focused on feelings and lost innocence rather than nuanced conflict, praising the performances (especially Hinds and Dench) and joyful music sequences. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/belfast-review-jamie-dornan-3142623) ## /Film — Chris Evangelista Rating 6.5/10. 13 September 2021. Festival review. The critic finds the film often charming with gorgeous cinematography, strong performances (especially Hinds and Dench) and humor, but faults it for lacking focus, real conflict and emotional depth beyond its handsome surface. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/602935/belfast-review-kenneth-branaghs-drama-is-funny-and-sweet-and-missing-something-tiff-2021/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating C-. 11 November 2021. The film is a collection of Branagh’s memories that fails to become a compelling or thoughtful narrative about the Troubles or the family’s experiences. [Read the review](https://collider.com/belfast-review-kenneth-branagh/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/belfast.md