Film Review: The Flag

A comedic slant is put on the 1916 commemorations in Declan Recks’ light-hearted caper flick. The always likable Pat Shortt stars as Harry Hambridge, a down-on-his-luck builder living in London. After enduring job-loss and the death of his pet hamster, Harry heads home to rural Ireland for his father’s funeral.

Amongst his dad’s possessions, he unearths a letter claiming that it was he who raised the tricolour over the GPO during the Rising. With the flag now hanging in a British army barracks in London, Harry puts together a motley crew to retrieve it, which is the cue for a chaotic adventure filled with slapstick humour.

Although the plot is slight and the characterisation essentially routine, the set-pieces and the strong cast more than compensate. Shortt excels in the lead role, while his retinue – including Moe Dunford, Hot Press fave Ruth Bradley and Brian Gleeson – are equally impressive. There’s also a terrific turn from Simone Kirby as Harry’s long-term love interest, Liz, while the poignant observations on the Irish emigrant experience are deftly woven into the story. Please stand to attention and give The Flag the respect it deserves.