In dark rural Ireland, ex-boxer Arm has become the feared enforcer for the drug-dealing Devers family, whilst also trying to be a good father to his autistic five-year-old son Jack. Torn between these two families, Arm’s loyalties are truly tested when he is asked to kill for the first time.
The directorial debut of Nick Rowland, Calm With Horses (otherwise known as The Shadow Of Violence) is an adaptation of a short story of the same name from the collection Young Skins by Irish author Colin Barrett. The story is concise and succinct but still manages to keep the audience firmly hooked in throughout its 101-minute runtime.
The film is a low-budget flick with a minimal cast, that executes the development of its characters exceptionally well. Basing a story around rural Irish degenerates and low-lifes trapped in the drug game, Rowland has brought a darker, grounded portrayal to an ethnicity that is so often portrayed for nothing more than the comedic effect in Hollywood films (especially if you are Guy Ritchie). There is such a depth to the characterization that despite a very minimal plot, you are fully aware of their struggles and feel genuine fear for their well-being.
As I have not read the source material, so cannot rightfully determine whether the depth of character comes from the mind of the original author or from screenwriter Joseph Murtagh during the adaptation, but there is plenty of joy to be found from watching as a one-dimensional character gets built upon and developed. Arm (played by Cosmo Jarvis) is exceptionally done. His name alone a juxtaposition or the friendly relationship that he has with the Devers Family and the harsh reality of his role to maintain that position with the family. Arm is a man that was pushed into a life of crime despite his better judgement, who wants nothing more than to be a loving partner and father, but he lacks the means; whether it be financially, mentally, or emotionally.
Every action made puts Arm in a more precarious position as he sits at the final turn-off, having to make the difficult choice of family over "family". Loyalties tested, with coercion and manipulation from both sides, this straightforward enforcer is given multi-layered ethical dilemmas.
The cinematography and direction are stunning and are a great example of solid world-building. Minimal cast, but every character stands out as unique; not just in appearance, but personality and backstory, without resorting to caricatures and buffoonery. The film consists of very few locations and yet they all feel interconnected and part of something larger. Never does it feel a part of a set, or fictional landscape. Cinematographer Piers McGrail does a more than competent job with lighting and grading to form a dark and gritty environment that still shows signs of hope and light and makes use of close-ups to convey a sense of claustrophobia for characters when things start to go off-kilter and options start to disappear.
Calm With Horses is a delightfully insightful piece, that makes the viewer question their own preconceptions and reevaluate how we judge others. A simple story with brilliant acting performances all around. Good intentions shall not go unpunished, and you will no doubt find yourself increasingly inching closer to the screen as the film progresses. Rowlands debut feels fresh, and it certainly deserves some attention.
Calm With Horses is in selected cinemas from July 23, 2020