Pat O’Connor’s 1984 film “Cal,” adapted from Bernard MacLaverty’s novel, continues to resonate with audiences as it makes its way back to theaters. The film is poignantly framed by the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It creatively and complexly spins a story of grief, passion, and the tricky rub of intimacy and strife between people often at each other’s throats in this bloody and segregated age.
“Cal” follows the story of its titular character, played by John Lynch, a getaway driver in a robbery on a cinema showing “Superman III.” This robbery triggers not only a string of chaotic events. Cal quickly gets drawn into a passionate but stormy affair with Marcella, played by Helen Mirren. Being born into a Catholic heritage, Marcella is heavily impacted by her grief and trauma. She has already lost her husband, a reserve police officer, to an IRA ambush executed by none other than Cal himself.
The film’s story follows that heartbreaking confluence of their paths. The intense love story between Cal and Marcella keeps the pages turning. Importantly, it reflects powerfully the sorrowful day-to-day life of people during the troubles. Against the backdrop of the catastrophic events around them, the film explores redemption, innocence lost, guilt and the need for connection through the lens of their relationship.
The performances in “Cal” have received wide acclaim, especially in the case of Mirren’s brilliant, nuanced performance as Marcella. Mirren’s love scene with Lynch’s Cal is an extraordinary career highlight for her. It represents an even bigger first for Lynch himself. The natural chemistry between the two actors makes their characters’ struggles and desires real and gives haunting beauty to their bitter experiences.
Daragh O’Malley’s tough Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) man throws even more tension into the mix. His character symbolizes the law enforcement perspective in an intense, dynamic period where loyalties were sharply divided. This accurate yet grim portrayal adds to the sense of anxiety and dread that hovers above the film like a dark cloud.
“Cal” holds up remarkably well in its rerelease, reminding viewers of the enduring relevance of its themes. No, the film’s staying power has everything to do with its superb craftsmanship and indelibly drawn characters. By telling an intimate story of love born in tragedy, “Cal” challenges its viewers to think about the effects of historical violence on individual lives today.