The Journey

Name: The Journey
Genre: Drama
Released: June 16, 2017
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 53
Cast: Barry Ward, Catherine McCormack, Colm Meaney, Frank Cannon, Freddie Highmore

2017

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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The Journey

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: June 16, 2017 | PG-13

Starring: Barry Ward, Catherine McCormack, Colm Meaney, Frank Cannon, Freddie Highmore, Ian Beattie, Ian McElhinney, John Hurt, Kristy Robinson, Mark Lambert, Timothy Spall, Toby Stephens

Summary: In 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, representatives from the two warring factions meet for negotiations. In one corner is Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall), the deeply conservative British loyalist; in the other is Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), a former Irish Republican Army leader who has devoted his lifeIn 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, representatives from the two warring factions meet for negotiations. In one corner is Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall), the deeply conservative British loyalist; in the other is Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), a former Irish Republican Army leader who has devoted his life to the cause of Irish reunification. Opposites in every way, the two men at first seem to have little chance of ever finding common ground. But over the course of an impromptu, detour-filled car ride through the Scottish countryside, each begins to see the other less as an enemy, and more as an individual—a breakthrough that promises to at last bring peace to the troubled region. [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Nick Hamm

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 94 min

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Critic Reviews

Marc Savlov

Jul 5, 2017

Spall and Meaney are mesmerizingly watchable in a film that’s 40% gruff dialogue and 60% seething silences. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Jun 13, 2017

The Journey, thanks to its buddy-movie structure, is destined to feel a little corny, but the movie gets at something real. It’s a celebration, by two splendid actors, of the art of political theater. Read full review

Nick Schager

Jun 15, 2017

The film is buoyed by its sharp, witty lead performances, with Spall’s holier-than-thou imperiousness clashing suitably with Meaney’s more affable obstinacy. Read full review

Andy Webster

Jun 15, 2017

Though the script tilts to the didactic, the performances are absolutely delicious, with Mr. Meaney droll and understated and Mr. Spall fiery and derisive, yet not above a joke. Read full review

Jake Kring-Schreifels

Jun 15, 2017

A well-acted, well-reasoned two-hander that struggles to swerve around the contrivances of the genre. Read full review

Stephanie Merry

Jul 6, 2017

Every element of the movie feels fabricated, from the stilted conversation to the all-too-convenient obstacles the movie keeps throwing in the path of progress. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Sheila O'Malley

Jun 16, 2017

The final exchange between Paisley and McGuinness, when they shake hands, is the best, but by then it's far too late. Read full review

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User Reviews

Brent_Marchant

Jul 8, 2017

What it lacks in authenticity is more than made up for by its fictional though thoughtful debates of the issues at the heart of the Northern Ireland peace process, why it took so long to resolve and the remarkable steps it took to bring about a workable solution. Add to that the sizzlingWhat it lacks in authenticity is more than made up for by its fictional though thoughtful debates of the issues at the heart of the Northern Ireland peace process, why it took so long to resolve and the remarkable steps it took to bring about a workable solution. Add to that the sizzling performances of Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney, and you've got a riveting series of dialogues that, in lesser hands, might easily have come off as a dry, plodding history lesson. While I usually have issues with films that take such blatant dramatic license, and even though the writing and narrative occasionally go wildly off the rails, this inventive take on this subject matter satisfies immensely without ever becoming tedious or pretentious. There's more here than many of the dismissive accounts contend, and that's worth watching -- and perhaps applying when circumstances merit.… Expand

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Beecee

Jul 10, 2017

I was intrigued enough by the subject matter to see the film and was very glad that I did. Although some of the episodes seemed contrived (particularly running out of gas after getting a flat tire), the emotions and issues were very real and Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall do a fabulous jobI was intrigued enough by the subject matter to see the film and was very glad that I did. Although some of the episodes seemed contrived (particularly running out of gas after getting a flat tire), the emotions and issues were very real and Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall do a fabulous job of portraying the real people on both sides of the Northern Ireland civil war. What does it take for two former enemies to make peace with each other? One answer here is the ability to see each other as human beings.… Expand

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