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Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy, who are known as ilm-makers, possess relentless creativity and an awareness of ideas that is exceptionally valuable. Their newest project is a powerful and gripping true-crime film that delves into the inner world of Rose Dugdale, a wealthy heiress and debutante from England who was radicalized during her time at Oxford University. Dugdale went on to join the IRA and in the 1970s, she was involved in a notorious art theft from a grand estate in Ireland, as well as aiding in the bombing of a police station using a stolen helicopter.
Baltimore should be viewed in conjunction with the recent personal essay film, The Future Tense, by Lawlor and Molloy. The film explores the evolving identities of the two filmmakers in Ireland and England, which were inspired by their experiences working on the Dugdale movie. Despite having a mid-range budget, Lawlor and Molloy display great intelligence and care in their production. A Hollywood biopic would have likely highlighted Rose’s debutante ball at Buckingham Palace and the bizarre helicopter attack as big set pieces, potentially featuring cameo appearances from well-known actors for the royals at the ball. However, Lawlor and Molloy choose to focus on something more intimate and emotionally compelling: the heist scene with three IRA men and its chaotic aftermath, interspersed with snippets from Rose’s childhood memories, nightmares, and her overwhelming fear of what the future may demand of her.
Imogen Poots is excellent as Dugdale, seen almost throughout in searching closeup, wondering whether she has it in her to execute a possible witness in cold blood. Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Lewis Brophy and Jack Meade are strong as her conspirators and Dermot Crowley is outstanding as Donal, a gentle innocent bystander with fading eyesight, reading To Kill a Mockingbird in braille in his cottage as he receives a disturbing visit from Dugdale. An entirely absorbing, coolly low-key movie.
Source: theguardian.com
