Watch Some Mother's Son

Some Mother's Son is a 1996 British-Irish drama film directed by Terry George and starring Helen Mirren, Fionnula Flanagan, and Aidan Gillen. The movie is based on the true story of the 1981 hunger strike at the Maze prison in Northern Ireland. It explores the political conflict between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British government and its impact on the families of the prisoners.

The movie is set in the early 1980s in a small town in Northern Ireland. The story begins when a group of IRA members are arrested and sent to prison, where they begin a hunger strike to protest against their status as political prisoners. Among them is Bobby Sands (played by John Lynch), a charismatic leader who becomes the face of the hunger strike.

Sands' mother, Kathleen (played by Fionnula Flanagan), is devastated by her son's imprisonment and decides to support him in his hunger strike. She joins other family members of the prisoners in a peaceful protest outside the prison, demanding that their loved ones be granted political prisoner status.

Meanwhile, Annie Higgins (played by Helen Mirren), a working-class mother of two sons, becomes involved in the struggle after her youngest son, Gerard (played by Aidan Gillen), is arrested for his involvement with the IRA. Annie is initially sympathetic to her son's cause, but as she becomes more involved in the struggle, she begins to question the tactics of the IRA and the impact they have on innocent civilians.

As the hunger strike continues, tensions rise between the families of the prisoners and the British government. The film portrays the brutality of the prison guards against the hunger strikers and the emotional toll it takes on their families. It also explores the political and ideological differences between the IRA and the more moderate members of the Irish community.

Throughout the film, the performances of the lead actors stand out, particularly Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanagan. Mirren, in particular, delivers a powerful performance as a mother torn between her love for her son and her sense of justice for the innocent victims of the conflict.

Some Mother's Son is a gripping, emotional drama that tackles complex issues of ideology, identity, and sacrifice. It sheds light on a tragic chapter in the history of Northern Ireland and the human cost of political conflict. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Ireland, the conflict in Northern Ireland, or the impact of political struggle on families and individuals.

Some Mother's Son is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.