Saint Patrick's Day: 10 Movies That Represent 'Irishness' Best

8. In The Name Of The Father (1993)

Many may consider My Left Foot (1989) as the tour-de-force project of Jim Sheridan and Daniel Day Lewis, however this film fueled on pure passion is the undeniable superior. This film chronicles the false imprisonment of Gerry Conlon and the Guildford Four. Accused of being behind an IRA Belfast pub bombing which caused the deaths of five people in 1974, Conlon and acquaintance Paul Hill are physically and psychologically forced into providing a spurious confession. The group spend a lengthy stretch beyond bars. However, the story encapsulates a great deal more than that, it follows Conlon from his entrance as a misguided radical to a dutifully compassionate individual. That is this stellar picture's greatest triumph. This risky tale certainly wouldn't have been at all possible without the abundance of acting finesse on show. Of course, Day-Lewis shines in the lead role, but major credit must be awarded to Emma Thompson, who simply oozes class and professionalism in role which, due to it's taboo circumstance, not many actresses could pull off. The late Pete Postlethwaite flawlessly evokes empathy as world weary Giuseppe Conlon, Gerry's father. Special mention must go to Gerard McSorley as Detective Pavis, who is so so brutally detestable. Villainous characters appear to be almost the forte of the Ulster man, particularly when one considers his disturbing performance as John Gilligan in Veronica Guerin (2003), alongside Cate Blanchett. Despite his abilities being clouded by a string of underwhelming productions, Jim Sheridan still remains Ireland's most well known director. If anybody has any doubts in regards his talent, check this out. It's amazing what you can do when you have Daniel Day-Lewis in your corner and not Curtis Jackson.