Rarely is a movie able to master the art of showcasing honest, emotional humanity in a way that makes even its smallest characters feel like massively important parts of its story. Rarer still is the film that can achieve this without telling its story in the direct, forthright manner of most movies. Yet That They May Face the Rising Sun succeeds on all counts, offering a triumphant story of 1980s Ireland filled with hope and heartbreak, reflecting a year in the lives of countryside couple Joe and Kate Ruttledge (Barry Ward and Anna Bederke, respectively).

That They May Face the Rising Sun was written and directed by Pat Collins, who previously directed and co-wrote 2012’s Silence and 2017’s Song of Granite.

The movie is based on John McGahern’s novel of the same name, focusing on the Ruttledge couple’s first year back from London after deciding to move to the quiet, rural County Leitrim in Northern Ireland. The movie focuses on their ups and downs as a couple and as people with creative ventures; Joe is a writer while Kate is an artist. Yet it’s not just about them, as intriguing characters permeate the drama, offering various windows into the time period and location through their struggles and successes.
That They May Face The Rising Sun Presents Its Ensemble Cast In A Unique Way

The Movie Is Interested In Exploring Every Element Of Life In Ireland

The biggest flaw in That They May Face the Rising Sun is how long it takes for context clues to establish what the storyline actually is. Unlike other romantic period dramas, the story isn’t clear right away, partially due to expectations of a more direct plot being depicted. In actuality, the film offers vignettes of sorts as a variety of characters weave in and out of Joe and Kate’s lives, offering varied perspectives on life in rural Ireland. Through them, we learn of the core couple’s circumstances, desires, and reasons for leaving London.

The talented Irish actors who helped make this story possible captured their characters expertly, making every new face in the movie feel like they belonged.

However, Joe and Kate often act as conduits for other characters’ stories. While this sometimes makes them feel less like fully fleshed-out protagonists themselves, it allows the movie to feel different from typical period dramas. Focusing on characters like the ever-entertaining Patrick Ryan (Lalor Roddy) or the inner complexities of Johnny Murphy (Sean McGinley) was the heart of the movie. It experimented by using its main couple to tell the stories of those around them, succeeding in creating a lived-in world through a multitude of simple conversations.

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The talented Irish actors who helped make this story possible captured their characters expertly, making every new face in the movie feel like they belonged. This was especially apparent during the more emotional developments that happened in their lives throughout the year, making each of them feel like an important piece to the larger puzzle of Irish countryside life. It’s in these convincing and diverse performances that the movie shines the most, offering so many memorable characters to grow connected to because of the stellar way in which they’re portrayed.
The Film’s Beauty Transcends Its Plot & Characters

Beautiful Scenery Compliment The Already Stellar Film

That They May Face the Rising Sun is further complemented by its stunning cinematography, idling on gorgeous scenery across Ireland. Its natural beauty is displayed almost in snapshots, reflective of the nature by which characters’ lives are also explored through the film’s structure. By simply being about the ups and downs of life, the movie’s simple shots of the surrounding nature mixed with similar shots during major interactions emphasize the natural story being told. It’s one of the people, both simple and complex, all at the same time.
Because of its beautiful story about people simply living in 1980s Ireland, That They May Face the Rising Sun stands out as a perfect examination of the multifaceted nature of life. In highlighting the ups and downs of not only the Ruttledges, but everyone around them, the movie creates a community that feels real. It’s a testament to the film’s successful mission, that being to showcase humanity through various lenses. It makes the movie a memorable one to come out of Ireland this year, and a perfect reflection of the strength and resilience of people who are together.