By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
There are many reasons to praise "Blitz," the sweeping new war drama from director and writer
Steve McQueen ("Occupied City" and "12 Years a Slave").
Now streaming on
Apple TV+, this powerful historical film features a stellar cast, including
Saoirse Ronan ("The Outrun") and
Paul Weller, (TV's "Sherlock"), but it's Elliott Heffernan's stunning, gut-wrenching debut performance that truly steals the show.
The film's title, "Blitz" is derived from the German word blitzkrieg, meaning "lightning war," referring to the swift, brutal tactics employed by the Luftwaffe during the early months of World War II, as they launched strategic bombing raids across England.
Saoirse Ronan plays Rita, a devoted mother to her young son, George (Heffernan), living a peaceful life in East London with Rita’s father, Gerald (Weller), and their cat. Their home is filled with love, music, and the warmth of family. Rita, who had George at just 17, understands the unique challenges her biracial son will face growing up in a turbulent world. George’s father, Marcus (CJ Beckford, TV's "Riches"), was deported before George was born, adding to the family's hardship.
George is sharp, brave, and quick to learn from those around him, but when the relentless bombing of London intensifies, Rita and Paul make the painful decision to send him to a government evacuation center outside the city. Though it's the right choice for his safety, the separation is heartbreaking, and George, understandably, is reluctant to leave.
On the train to his new destination, he faces bullying from other children, but it doesn’t last long as George bravely stands up for himself. Determined to return home, he jumps off the train, setting off on a solitary and perilous journey through the war-torn landscape.
Along the way, George meets three brothers who, like him, have fled the evacuation and are seeking safety. They share a brief bond over their plight, and George offers them his only food.
His journey takes him next to Ife, a compassionate black air-raid warden named Ife (Benjamin Clementine, "Dune: Part One"), with whom he forms a fleeting friendship. However, George's plans are soon complicated when he is manipulated by a pair of unsavory thieves. Despite the setbacks, George's determination to return home never falters.
The emotional weight of George's journey is palpable, and your heart aches as he fights to get back to his family. When he finally returns to London, it's not the home he left behind. His house is in ruins, and he discovers the devastating loss of his grandfather among the rubble. Miraculously, though, Rita finds him, and together they begin to rebuild their shattered lives.
With "Blitz," Steve McQueen has crafted another ambitious and impactful film that excels on every front. The cinematography and set design are exceptional, capturing the devastation of wartime London, while Hans Zimmer's evocative score adds to the emotional depth. "Blitz" is a poignant and remarkable film that deserves to be part of the Awards Season conversation.
"Blitz" is currently streaming on Apple TV+.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"BLITZ"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
