Synopsis
Firebrand Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness, two implacable enemies in Northern Ireland, are forced to take a short journey together in which they will take the biggest leap of faith and change the course of history.
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Cast
- Timothy SpallIan Paisley
- Colm MeaneyMartin McGuinness
- Freddie HighmoreJack
- Toby StephensTony Blair
- John HurtHarry Patterson
- Catherine McCormackKate Elgar
- Ian McElhinneyRory O'Suaird
- Ian BeattieGerry Adams
- Barry WardIan Paisley, Jr.
- Mark LambertBertie Ahern
Recommendations
- 70
Screen Daily
Although it breaks no new ground, there’s heart, humour, charm and even a little healthy mischief in a film that re-imagines the rapprochement between the two former foes. - 70
Variety
The Journey, thanks to its buddy-movie structure, is destined to feel a little corny, but the movie gets at something real. It’s a celebration, by two splendid actors, of the art of political theater. - 70
Village Voice
The film is buoyed by its sharp, witty lead performances, with Spall’s holier-than-thou imperiousness clashing suitably with Meaney’s more affable obstinacy. - 63
Movie Nation
The Journey‘s wonderful stars — Spall, Meaney, Highmore, a testy Stephens and of course Hurt — make this sentimental saunter go down easily. - 60
Total Film
Irish politics made accessible with the help of a playful script, two fine performances and 11 years of hindsight. - 60
The New York Times
Though the script tilts to the didactic, the performances are absolutely delicious, with Mr. Meaney droll and understated and Mr. Spall fiery and derisive, yet not above a joke. - 60
Vox
The Journey is the rare hopeful political film rooted in both reality and very recent history. - 50
Slant Magazine
Paisley and McGuinness's intellectual back and forth is rendered so compellingly that one wishes the filmmakers didn’t feel a need to resort to a surfeit of momentum-killing plot contrivances.
