Narrative:
Although there is no clear narrative to talk about, the fact that the film focuses on one character’s senseless murders is important for a multitude of reasons. For one, there isn’t a clear character arc. Equally, there seems to be no punishment for his crimes. This suggests that Clarke views the world as corrupt and that justice is artificially perpetuated as fair. In the same regard, the lack of dialogue makes the film seem universal, as if justice isn’t present anywhere.
Film Form:
The most obvious manipulation of the film form by Clarke is the decision to take a montage – esque stance towards editing. For the most part, the events are only connected by the theme of violence, with the settings differing vastly throughout the film. This makes the film seem disjointed but it also gives a sense of systemic violence, that proves inescapable. This contributes to the wider point that Clarke is arguing, in regards to the futility of violence.
Meaning:
The film is definitely an artistically – driven vehicle to explore the Irish Troubles. It’s interesting that Clarke chooses to isolate the murderer as one person, suggesting that violence is inherently selfish and leads to isolation.
Olly Staniland's Film Studies Blog 