Closing The Ring Review

Closing The Ring
A World War II pilot crashes in Belfast and asks a local to return his ring to his girlfriend in the States. The ring is returned – but 25 years later.

by Alan Morrison |
Published on
Release Date:

28 Dec 2007

Running Time:

119 minutes

Certificate:

12A

Original Title:

Closing The Ring

Richard Attenborough has always been an actor’s director, drawing career highs from the likes of Ben Kingsley in Gandhi and Robert Downey Jr. in Chaplin. Now he adds Shirley MacLaine to his list. While the initially confusing story jumps between 1941 and 1991, Michigan and Belfast, World War II airmen and IRA bombings, MacLaine delivers a surprisingly restrained performance.

Metaphors about digging around in the past and papering over truths are handled heavily, but an eclectic cast (Pete Postlethwaite, Brenda Fricker, Mischa Barton) lightens the film’s contrivances.

After disappointments In Love And War and Grey Owl, 84 year-old Attenborough is back on better, albeit old-fashioned, form.

After recent disappointments Sir Dickie Attenborough is back on better, albeit old-fashioned, form.
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