The basic plot of this film follows a young biracial boy (Elliott Heffernan) who’s sent to live outside London during the Nazi bombing of London (more than 500,000 kids were evacuated). He soon escapes from the train to make his way back home, while his mother (Saoirse Ronan) desperately searches for him (her Black husband has been deported). This film is more than this simple narrative. Writer/director Steve McQueen gives us glimpses into WWII life in London, including constant air raids, but he also shoots it thru a Black lens with the celebration of dance and music. Speaking of music, composer Hans Zimmer has created several interesting sound montages with a musical bent that add to the film’s artistic angle. This movie proves an interesting history lesson about the civilian experience that includes people helping each other, as well as persistent racism. Surprisingly, the mother/son story mostly serves as a narrative device to explore the city’s challenges and lacks the expected emotional impact. 
(3.5 / 5)
