Liam (2000)

70% of critics liked it
(76 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(1,073 ratings)

A young boy struggles with his family during England's pre-war depression in this drama directed by Stephen Frears. Liam (Anthony Borrows) is a seven-year-old growing up in a working-class family in Liverpool during the early 1930s. Liam's dad (Ian Hart) and older brother Con (David Hart) both work… More A young boy struggles with his family during England's pre-war depression in this drama directed by Stephen Frears. Liam (Anthony Borrows) is a seven-year-old growing up in a working-class family in Liverpool during the early 1930s. Liam's dad (Ian Hart) and older brother Con (David Hart) both work at the nearby shipyards, and his sister Teresa (Megan Burn) works as a domestic for a wealthy Jewish family. Liam, who suffers from a speech defect, is not always happy at school, where his teacher (Anne Reid) and his priest (Russell Dixon) spend nearly as much time lecturing students about the wages of sin as they do covering the three R's. The family's troubles mount when the shipyard is shut down as England sinks into an economic downturn; angry and confused after losing his job, Dad becomes a member of a fascist organization that blames the nation's troubles on Jews and the Irish. Young Liam is forced to come to terms with his father's intolerance -- and the violence that it spawns. Liam also features a standout performance by Claire Hackett as Liam's Mam. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Stephen Frears
Written By: Jimmy McGovern
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 21, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Mar 12, 2002
Studio: Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Liam is largely devoid of emotion. He's a detached, distanced observer, and it's hard for the viewer not to feel the same way.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
The harshness of his movie is affecting, never completely demoralizing.
Charles Taylor, Salon.com
It's been beautifully made with tact and care.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
One of [Frears'] loveliest, most heartfelt films.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Beautifully cast and acted, with young Borrows giving a performance as natural as it is heartbreaking.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
A heartbreakingly beautiful film.
Harry Guerin, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
Better suited to the intimacy of television than a cinema outing.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
...its dramatic efforts are contrived and strain credibility.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
It is an ugly story with the ring of truth, and could hardly be more timely.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
A dark, disturbing and vivid portrait of how the toxic fuels of poverty and powerlessness are transmuted into violent religious and ethnic hatred.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Stumbles a bit with a muddled final act, but it's not enough to mar this generally fine film.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Frears has put enough heart into the movie to overcome its limitations.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

The trials and tribulations of a 7 yr old lad in 1930's Liverpool. Oppressed by poverty and his Catholic faith, Liam tries to cope with a speech impediment and a school system determined to literally beat the devil out of him. A gritty, solid little film that falls somewhere… More
The trials and tribulations of a 7 yr old lad in 1930's Liverpool. Oppressed by poverty and his Catholic faith, Liam tries to cope with a speech impediment and a school system determined to literally beat the devil out of him. A gritty, solid little film that falls somewhere between <i>Angela's Ashes</i> and <i>This Is England</i>.

Cast

Ian Hart
as Dad
David Hart
as Con
Julia Deakin
as Auntie Aggie

See full cast

Liam (2000)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Cast

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