Five Minutes of Heaven (2009)

Director:

Oliver Hirschbiegel

Writer:

Guy Hibbert (writer)

Release Date:

13 June 2009 (Bahrain)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

To face the future, they must face the past.

Plot:

The story of former UVF member Alistair Little. Twenty-five years after Little killed Joe Griffen's brother, the media arrange an auspicious meeting between the two. |

Plot Keywords:

Time In Title | Number In Title

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Liam Neeson	...	Alistair Little
James Nesbitt	...	Joe Griffen
Anamaria Marinca	...	Vika
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Juliet Crawford	...	Cathy
Niamh Cusack	...	Alistair's Mum
Mark David	...	Young Alistair (as Mark Davison)
Gerry Doherty	...	Joe's Dad
Richard Dormer	...	Michael
Paul Garret	...	Alistair's Dad
Katy Gleadhill	...	Fiona
Jonathan Harden	...	David
Pauline Hutton	...	Sharon
Andrea Irvine	...	Sarah
Gerard Jordan	...	Jim
Paul Kennedy	...	Sound recordist
Conor MacNeill	...	Dave
Mark Matthews	...	Martin - Cameraman at Loughfinn Centre
Mathew McElhinney	...	Stuart
Barry McEvoy	...	Joe's Chauffeur
Paula McFetridge	...	Joe's Mum
Diarmuid Noyes	...	Andy
Richard Orr	...	Alistair's Chauffeur
Lalor Roddy	...	LandLord

Runtime:

USA:90 min (Sundance Film Festival)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Ireland:15A | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:14A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK

Company:

Big Fish Films

Goofs:

Continuity: Little's photograph of Griffin's family changes between shots. In some scenes it has a border and in others it doesn't.

Quotes:

Alistair Little: For me to talk about the man I have become, you need to know about the man I was. I was fourteen when I joined the tartan gangs and I was fifteen when I joined the UVF. At that time, don't forget, there were riots on the streets every week; petrol bombs everyday...

Movie Connections:

References Jaws (1975)

Soundtrack:

A Glass of Champagne

Compelling film and a must see

Just viewed this tonight and thought it was really an excellent commentary on the difficulty of forgiveness, the helplessness of letting go, and, of course, how hate and regret can meet and be resolved (many times with misgivings and myopic single mindedness). It is said that forgiveness (whether of oneself or another) is the hardest endeavor a human being can face. This film brilliantly portrays the anguish of two men, one who hates and can't forgive another, and one who regrets and can't forgive himself. The brevity of the film (121 minutes) and the abrupt ending belies the volumes of emotion that permeate almost every scene. The movie is both compelling and enjoyable while also being very disturbing.

A part not to be overlooked is played by Anamaria Marinca (Vika), a 'gopher' for the film crew. Her character added quite a bit of depth to the film. Neeson and Nesbitt should both be recognized for their riveting performances.

In most films today the focus is on revenge, blood, and murder. "Five Minutes.." includes these vices but, contrary to the blood and gore in many movies today, this film's focal points are, indeed, letting go, finding your life and living it, focusing on what means most to you, demolishing the demons that haunt you, and, most importantly, discovering that elusive human effort which leads to forgiveness. It's hard...very hard, and most of us can't bring ourselves to that end because forgiveness is many times viewed by society as weakness when it is, in actuality, strength.