WHAT RICHARD DID - TRIBECA REVIEW
The theme to many films this year at Tribeca Film Festival are “quiet intensity” and “loss.” And What Richard DiD has both of those in spaids, telling the story of a group of young, privileged friends in Dublin dealing with tragedy sneaking up on them. Lead by Richard Karlsen (Jack Reynor), the group is a very tight knit of friends, spending all of their free time with each other, drinking in pups and playing sports. He connects instantly with a young girl named Lara (Róisín Murphy) after flirting at a party and everything seems gloriously perfect. However, an old boyfriend of Lara's becomes increasingly jealous, and tries to get back into the picture, which sets off an event that haunts the entire town they live in.
Based on Kevin Powers’ book “Bad Day in Blackrock,” Director Lenny Abrahamson and Screenwriter Malcolm Campbell paint a very expressive and meaningful film about the consequences of a seemingly non consequential action. Reynor does a great job of portraying the young Richard, showing a fun, carefree youth who also has a sharp side of jealously to him. And as the titular “event” goes by (not a spoiler; it is called What Richard Did after all), it wears on him more and more, and Raynor does a great job of portraying the struggling young man. Róisín Murphy (the Irish actress, not the Irish singer) also presents a layered portrait of a young girl caught in the crossfires of it all, and the deliberate slow pacing makes the punches hit all the harder. What Richard Did is a strong and powerful punch, and though it may linger a bit too long here and there, it sting affects you just the same.
VERDICT: A SOLID CHOICE
Based on the book Bad Day in Blackrock written by Kevin Power Screenplay by Malcolm Campbell Directed by Lenny Abrahamson Starring Jack Reynor, Róisín Murphy, Sam Keeley, Lars Mikkelsen Country Ireland Content Disclaimer (Adult Situations, Adult Language, Violence) For ticket and screening information: http://tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets
BOTTOM LINE: Moody and mimimal with charismatic acting all around, What Richard Did is a strong viewpoint into the consequences of a singular action.