Review: Blitz

Official synopsis: The story of a boy, George (Elliott Heffernan) trying to get back to his mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) during the German bombing campaign of London during World War II.

Saoirse Ronan has had a year of knock out performances between this and The Outrun. It's not often we see her play a mother. So this feels very new, even though it's a story that has been done several times. 

She's not the only one I will credit with a fresh take, most of that goes to Director/writer Steve McQueen. I always enjoy his films and this one feels the largest in scope. Centering this well documented event around a young black boy who constantly has to deal with the racism of his countrymen gives us a perspective we don't often see when revisiting WWII films. And Heffernan does a great job. George is stoic and he goes through SO much in the days that we follow him. Whenever he finds a kind person, like Ife (Benjamin Clémentine) you just want them stay with him and help.

The story is sprinkled with flashbacks throughout, some of them work well, others transitioned awkwardly. I got the sense that a lot was lost in editing. There's a character played by Harris Dickinson for example that felt like he probably had a bigger role at one point, and most was lost on the editing floor. Over all, this is a really solid film. I keep saying I'm sick of WWII movies, then things like this and A Small Light come out and turn me into a hypocrite. 

Blitz is playing in select theaters and is now streaming on Apple TV+

Grade: B+