BLITZ

Steve McQueen fashions a classic World War Two tale that impresses in its immersive production design and its command of the camera but falters in terms of emotional resonance.

While he has tackled plenty of thorny subjects in his films, director Steve McQueen is at heart a cinematic classicist. You’d think that a movie about the blitz on London – from the point of view from a mixed race boy – would thus play to his strengths. However, Blitz has become the most mundane, unremarkable film of his career so far.

That’s not to say that the movie isn’t a marvel to look at. Blitz beautifully recreates forties London, from the city itself, to the countryside surrounding it and the tube stations where the population takes shelter from German bombs. McQueen vividly brings the past to life with his astute direction, with camerawork that is among the best in his oeuvre and an immersive sound design.

Looking beyond the technical achievements of Blitz you however find a dime-a-dozen story that might nod and wink to Oliver Twist and David Copperfield but lacks narrative power and shows a disappointing absence of momentum. The societal critique McQueen injects into the tale also feels tame compared to the anger and outrage about race and prejudice he applied more successfully in his Small Axe TV series.

As for the performances: young actor Elliott Heffernan is excellent as the lead character who travels around London, hoping to be reunited with his mom. The rest of the cast, while populated with big names like Saoirse Ronan, Stephen Graham and even music legend Paul Weller, doesn’t really make a mark though, as their roles are alle etched in broad strokes, without much uniqueness or poignancy.

So while you will undoubtedly not be bored by Blitz, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be moved, shocked or impressed by the film. That alone ranks it as a minor work from McQueen.

release: 2024

director: Steve McQueen

starring: Elliott Heffernan, Saoirse Ronan, Stephen Graham, Paul Weller