Andrea Riseborough is very good in 'Shadow Dancer', James Marsh's film about a reluctant IRA informer. I usually think of her as an archetypal English rose, but she plays a tough young Irishwoman with aplomb. The film, however, is extremely low key, especially Clive Owen, whose catatonic performance seems to be what his director ordered, but which adds to the general feeling of listlessness. The plot is nicely judged, but the execution lacks the tension the subject matter should impart.

I have to disagree with Ruben Mooijman, who, in his review claims that Shadow Dancer does nothing to add to (or clarify) what we already know about this time period in Ireland, particularly Belfast. I believe this film goes a long way toward further illustrating the confusion and convolution of loyalties experienced by some families living in Northern Ireland at the time. Mooijman has completely ignored an important part of the film (or maybe it just went past him) concerning the fact that the mother of the younger IRA activists featured in the story turns out to have been a long-term "tout" or spy for MI5 (the Brits) and has been since 6 years or so after her own son, Sean, was killed in the crossfire in the '70s (at the beginning of the movie). The current IRA activists to whom I refer are young Gerry - we're never really privy to what has happened to their father, also called Gerry - Connor and Colette, all of whom were there the night their wee brother was sent out for fags for older Gerry, and rushed back into the house, shot in the chest. Later in the film, at the funeral of a fellow member, we can nearly taste the pride and camaraderie shared by the activists as they stand up against the occupiers when they try to bury their fallen friend "as a soldier." I dare say I learned more about the day-to-day life of people caught up in the IRA movement in Shadow Dancer than through any other film I've seen.I was privileged to travel throughout Ireland two years ago (our daughter now has dual British- American citizenship, and resides in Wales, and she arranged and accompanied us throughout our travels). The people of Ireland are wonderful, and most welcoming to Americans, even though many of them are still suffering the after effects of the struggles there (and let's not forget that parts of Ireland are still considered "occupied"). The fact is, some citizens of Ireland continue to feel much the same way as one of the characters in the film who angrily rejected the ceasefire gestures as a sell-out, and some have not been thrilled with the final outcome of the peace agreements. As with people throughout the world, carrying on day-to-day activities while operating within the bounds of ANY government, it often boils down to finally realizing that there are precious few people in one's life (and even in one's immediate family) that a person can really trust.

Clive Owen is an MI5 stooge who instantly turns a Belfast bomb-dropper-offer woman into an informer, in spite of saying, 'This is going to take some time'. And yes, we get it: Belfast in the troubles (which aren't over btw) is as bleak as it gets. Those IRA guys just want everyone to be as miserable as they are, it seems.Now, introduce hundreds of indistinguishable miserable characters without names or any particular reason to exist other than it's a 'political' film, yeah? A few vignettes of IRA funerals and suchlike, just to lighten the mood. Forget to show the heroine for half an hour, and focus on Clive Owen's double chin.Fast forward ninety minutes. Still awake? Suddenly, Clive and his informer kiss. Fast forward thirty more minutes. then she arranges for his car to be booby trapped even though he offered to elope with her, I think. Because her mother's an informer too, and she has to die.You see, those IRA types just can't be anything but miserable.Who wrote this tripe? Is that the Tom Bradby who was ITV's political editor? Stick to news, Tom. If it wasn't you, sorry.

what an extraordinary story told in a narrative style which keeps you guessing all the way to the final shot. all the performances were terrific, subtle as the story unfolds. i am a big history buff, so that aspect of this movie was a real treat for me personally. as i say, the only thing new is the history we do not know. i would highly recommend this movie to any thoughtful viewer who wants to be informed and entertained. it was truly a pleasure to have happened on this while going through the stacks at my library in the DVD section.bravo to the actors, author and screenplay writer and a wonderful piece of directing including style and pacing. a job well done, indeed!!!!!!