Though limited by the budget and format of a short film, filmmakers P. J. Dillon and Pierce Ryan have concocted an outstanding portrait, in a microcosm, of mid-19th century Ireland. We're greeted with a handful of establishing shots, providing bare-bones ruminating exposition, before the bulk of these 10 minutes take place within a single domicile.
The focus is on dialogue, and fine nuance in the two actors' performances that betray the emotions of their characters. Simple as this tale is, it does much with so little to communicate a point in time, in history, that was ever so dire, marked by power and cruelty, poverty and desperation. Commendations to all around for a swell small feature that imparts great tension and emotion in such a minute length.
It's gratifying that Dillon and Ryan would later have the opportunity to work with still other filmmakers to further develop 'An ranger' and flesh out its ideas in the 2018 drama 'Black '47.' By all means, that full-length movie is excellent, and does still more to convey the grim reality of the Great Famine and all the circumstances surrounding it. Yet it originated here, in a distinctly less sophisticated, singular story beat that feeds us just enough narrative to let our imaginations run wild.
Especially for as brief as this is, it's well worth seeking out to watch. 'An ranger' is a marvelous short film that deserves to be seen by a much wider audience.
