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Liam is a poignant drama film that takes place in Liverpool, England in the 1930s. The movie is directed by Stephen Frears and stars Anthony Borrows, Ian Hart, and Claire Hackett. It tells the story of a poor Catholic family struggling to survive amidst the Great Depression. The film centers around the titular character, Liam (played by Borrows), who is an eight-year-old boy who lives with his parents, Joseph (Hart) and Maria (Hackett), and his younger sister, Teresa. Liam's parents are hard-working, but they are barely making ends meet. Joseph works in a shipyard and Maria takes care of the family and works part-time as a laundress. They are devout Catholics, and their faith is an important aspect of their lives.

Liam's life takes a turn when he witnesses his father become involved with a fascist organization, the Blackshirts. Joseph sees the organization as a way to improve their lot in life, but Liam is horrified by their beliefs and actions. Liam's mother, on the other hand, disapproves of the Blackshirts and is involved in a different group that supports the rights of workers and unions.

The tensions in the family peak when Liam's mother becomes ill and is unable to continue working. The family's financial situation becomes dire, and Joseph turns more and more to the Blackshirts for support. Liam becomes increasingly disillusioned with his father and his beliefs, and seeks support from his priest and the Catholic Church.

As the family's situation worsens, Liam becomes more desperate to find a solution. He becomes involved in a scheme to smuggle goods from a wealthy family, which he believes will solve their financial problems. The scheme backfires, and Liam is forced to confront the consequences of his actions, including the disapproval of his mother and the shame of his father.

Throughout the film, Liam's innocence and vulnerability are contrasted with the harsh realities of life during the Depression. The film is shot in a gritty and realistic style, with a focus on the everyday struggles of working-class families. The performances by the cast are exceptional, with Borrows particularly impressive as the young Liam.

Liam is a moving and thought-provoking film that explores themes of faith, family, and social justice. It is a powerful reminder of the struggles that many families faced during the Great Depression, as well as the dangers of extremism and intolerance. The film deserves to be remembered as a classic of British cinema.

Liam is a 2000 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 74.