Liam Neeson flexes his dramatic chops in the Irish action-thriller film In the Land of Saints and Sinners, now on Lionsgate Play.
Much of Liam Neeson’s recent roles have been in high-octane action films that, while highly entertaining, leave little room for character exploration. But an upcoming addition to Lionsgate Play’s library, the Irish action-thriller film In the Land of Saints and Sinners, reaffirms the acting prowess of the veteran actor.
In the film, Neeson plays Finbar Murphy, a retired hitman seeking a quiet life in a secluded coastal town. However, his peaceful existence is threatened when a sinister band of terrorists, commanded by the fierce and cunning Doirean (Kerry Condon, Rome), descends upon the village. As the violence of 1970s Ireland (an era referred to as The Troubles) descends on the quiet town, Finbar has little choice but to return to his old ways. The all-Irish cast includes Jack Gleeson, (most known for playing Joffrey in Game of Thrones), who plays a young hitman who sees Finbar as a mentor.
While In the Land of Saints and Sinners has no shortage of action and intrigue, at its core, it is a touching story about patriotism, violence, redemption, and how the past can haunt us. It’s not just another action movie, but rather, a thought-provoking exploration of Ireland’s complex history — something that will likely resonate with many Filipino viewers.
On how much he recalled of The Troubles, Liam Neeson toldThe Hollywood Reporter, “I remember a lot… My home own was 30 miles outside Belfast, but I was a university then, 1971 and ’72. It was bad. You could hear bombs going off, drive-by shootings and stuff. It was a very, very nasty, horrible time for everybody. So, it’s interesting to do a film like this, which is entertainment and yet it’s based on a reality that happened. We didn’t bloat on it when we were shooting, but we all just got it.”
On how this film strengthens his reputation for playing villains, Jack Gleeson toldEye for Film, “I guess now the parts that I tend to play do tend to be bad guys, but I like that. I don’t really mind if I only play bad guys for the rest of my career. I mean, maybe it’ll get boring, but I’m not bored yet. I just enjoy it, and maybe that’s just what I was put here to do, you know?
Don’t miss In the Land of Saints and Sinners, premiering on Lionsgate Play on September 13 via PLDT Home and Smart.
