This is a fascinating and heartbreaking glimpse into poverty under the Catholic Church's tight grip...

| Apr 29, 2009

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 1, 2005

Better suited to the intimacy of television than a cinema outing.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 26, 2003

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 10, 2003

...its dramatic efforts are contrived and strain credibility.

| Original Score: C | Feb 14, 2003

Liam is largely devoid of emotion. He's a detached, distanced observer, and it's hard for the viewer not to feel the same way.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 6, 2002

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 30, 2002

It is an ugly story with the ring of truth, and could hardly be more timely.

| Oct 21, 2002

A dark, disturbing and vivid portrait of how the toxic fuels of poverty and powerlessness are transmuted into violent religious and ethnic hatred.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 15, 2002

Stumbles a bit with a muddled final act, but it's not enough to mar this generally fine film.

Full Review | Original Score: 82/100 | May 9, 2002

Frears has put enough heart into the movie to overcome its limitations.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 4, 2002

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 22, 2002

Frears approaches the material in a humanistic and gentle manner and coaxes astonishingly assured performances from his young actors as well as the more veteran players.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 21, 2001

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 27, 2001

Despite the downbeat nature of the project, Frears delivers moments of surprising humor, tenderness and even hope.

Full Review | Nov 10, 2001

Overwhelmed by personal agenda, and a religious one at that.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 3, 2001

As downbeat as some of Loach's movies are, they never sink to such overwrought, melodramatic depths or rely on as many unbelievable plot contrivances as does Liam.

| Nov 2, 2001

An emotional investment well worth making -- the vision Frears creates is hard, but, even at its bleakest, recognizably human.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 29, 2001

The harshness of his movie is affecting, never completely demoralizing.

| Oct 28, 2001

Within the shopworn limits of McGovern's script, Frears and his actors make the most of things.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 22, 2001