Watch The Journey

The Journey is a 2016 movie directed by Nick Hamm and written by Colin Bateman. The movie is a political thriller drama that tells the story of two political leaders from opposite sides of the political spectrum in Northern Ireland. The movie takes place in 2006 when Northern Ireland is going through a crucial time in its political history. The British government is urging political leaders in Northern Ireland to form a power-sharing government that can bring an end to the decades-long conflict between the two communities.

In this context, two political opponents, Ian Paisley (played by Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (played by Colm Meaney), find themselves forced to travel together by car to attend a meeting in Scotland. Paisley is the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and McGuinness is the leader of Sinn Féin.

The journey, which takes place over one day, is full of tension and conflict as the two leaders belonging to opposing sides of the political spectrum are forced to spend time together. Throughout the journey, they have heated debates and arguments about their differences on the key issues of the conflict.

The movie is not a biopic, but it draws heavily from the real-life events that surrounded the 2006 St Andrews Agreement, which was a turning point in the political history of Northern Ireland.

One of the most remarkable things about The Journey is the outstanding performances of the two leading actors. Timothy Spall delivers a remarkable performance as Ian Paisley, fully capturing the personality and voice of the former DUP leader. Meanwhile, Colm Meaney shines as Martin McGuinness, bringing a sense of gravitas to the role.

John Hurt also delivers an excellent performance as Harry Patterson, the British Prime Minister's chief-of-staff, who plays a key role in orchestrating the meeting between Paisley and McGuinness.

The Journey is not just a political movie, but it is a movie about the human aspect of politics. It shows how people who have opposing views can put aside their differences and work together for the greater good. It is a movie about peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

The movie's cinematography is also worth mentioning. The majority of the movie takes place on the road, and the shots of the beautiful Irish and Scottish landscapes are breathtaking. The movie's soundtrack is excellent, with a mix of traditional Irish music and modern piano pieces.

The Journey is not without its flaws. Some aspects of the plot seem contrived, and the movie could have explored some themes in greater depth. However, these minor issues do not detract from the overall positive feelings that the movie evokes. It is an inspiring story that will leave you feeling hopeful about the human potential for change and reconciliation.

In conclusion, The Journey is a well-crafted movie that tells an important story about two political leaders who put aside their differences for the greater good. The movie's outstanding performances, beautiful cinematography, and inspiring message make it a must-see for fans of political thrillers and human dramas.

The Journey is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 53.