★ 7 / 10
**_A fine film that could easily have been
Stephen Campbell
**_A fine film that could easily have been better_** > _Wouldn't it be nice if we got to the point where we could accept that women need variety, adventure…
**_A fine film that could easily have been better_**
> _Wouldn't it be nice if we got to the point where we could accept that women need variety, adventure, and novelty at least as much if not more than men do? Bad science got us to this point of believing that randiness and thirst for sexual adventure is uniquely, naturally male._
- Wednesday Martin; "'Nearly everything we believe about women and lust and infidelity is untrue'" (Suzanne Harrington); _Irish Examiner_ (October 29, 2018)
_The Delinquent Season_ tells the story of two married couples living in Dublin; Jim (Cillian Murphy) and Danielle (Eva Birthistle), and Chris (Andrew Scott) and Yvonne (Catherine Walker). As the foursome are having dinner one evening, an argument breaks out between Chris and Yvonne, with Chris behaving in a worryingly irrational manner. A few days later, Chris confides in Jim as to why he's been having mood swings of late, swearing Jim to secrecy. Over the next few weeks, as Chris's mood swings become physically aggressive, Yvonne turns to Jim for support, and soon, they are in the midst of an affair. Jim, however, continues to keep Chris's secret.
The film treats well the topic of middle-class malaise and _ennui_, deftly shifting the audience's sympathy multiple times throughout. However, in his feature directorial debut, Mark O'Rowe (best known as the writer of John Crowley's _Intermission_ and Rufus Norris's _Broken_) misses a great opportunity for a really powerful _dénouement_, letting the narrative drag on for 10 minutes or so too long. Still though, it's well acted, and extremely realistic, attaining an almost documentarian objectivity at times. Well worth checking out.
Read full review
★ 7 / 10
Extremely thought provoking
golaneliah
In a time when movies often don't fully portray the aftermath of betrayal, I felt this movie reminded me what I seem to have been indifferent to, dare I say…
In a time when movies often don't fully portray the aftermath of betrayal, I felt this movie reminded me what I seem to have been indifferent to, dare I say forgotten. The main thing I think this film tries to do, is provoke its' audience to rethink the aftermath of betrayal. Nowadays, the whole relationship institution has dissolved into nothing substantial. Whilst emphasizing the collapse of loyalty between the partners and to the marriage itself, the movie has awakened the inevitable consequence of each disloyal act we partake in, when in a relationship.The actors were fantastic and Cillian Murphy's performance definitely stood out. It's certainly a refreshing change to see him portray a character that's preserving a tiny portion of his own nature, so it seems.I must say though, at first, I thought the movie was rather boring during the first twenty minutes. Only then did I realize that as boring as it was to watch the characters day to day life, it must be dreadful to actually live as such, thus explaining, and ultimately leading, to the acts of infidelity.
Read full review
★ 7 / 10
Brilliant movie, well made!!
jkt2006
I enjoyed this drama story through its runtime. The story, the sudden twist, great screenplay real performances make it so watchable and enjoyable. Totally…
I enjoyed this drama story through its runtime. The story, the sudden twist, great screenplay real performances make it so watchable and enjoyable. Totally recommended!!
Read full review
•••
Spanish subtitles Please! Thanks