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Poster for Liam

2001 | 90 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (70% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
A natural pick for anyone who values honest, human stories and people who like stories about real, flawed people. It deals with hard things honestly.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Character-first and patient, at 1 hr 30 min. Done before bedtime.
What might put you off
Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

A morality tale of xenophobia, religious prejudice, mob violence, poverty, and their effect on two children in Liverpool during the Depression. When a shipyard closes, Liam and Teresa's dad loses his job. Liam, who's about 8, making his first Holy Communion, gets a regular dose of fire and brimstone at church. Teresa, about 13, has a job as a maid to the Jewish family that owns the closed shipyard. The lady of that house is having an affair, and Teresa becomes an accomplice. Liam stutters terribly, especially when troubled. Dad comes under the sway of the Fascists, who blame cheap Irish labor and Jewish owners. A Molotov cocktail brings things to a head.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 10K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Stephen Frears

  • Ian HartDad
  • Claire HackettMum
  • Anthony BorrowsLiam
  • Dave HartCon
  • Megan BurnsTeresa
  • Anne ReidMrs. Abernathy
  • Russell DixonFather Ryan
  • Jane GurnettMrs Samuels
  • Gema LovedayJane Samuels
  • Julia DeakinAggie