| Cal | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Pat O'Connor |
| Produced by | Terence A. Clegg David Puttnam |
| Written by | Bernard MacLaverty (also novel) |
| Starring | John Lynch Helen Mirren |
| Music by | Mark Knopfler |
| Cinematography | Jerzy Zielinski (lighting cameraman) |
| Editing by | Michael Bradsell |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release date(s) | August 24, 1984 (USA) November 7, 1984 (France) May 31, 1985 (West Germany) |
| Running time | 102 mins. |
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Cal is a 1984 British film based on a novel of the same name written by Bernard MacLaverty who also wrote the script. The film was directed by Pat O'Connor.
Plot
Cal (Lynch) is a young catholic member of the Irish Republican Army in 1970s Northern Ireland. He is used as a driver on a nighttime murder of a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The murder takes place at the victim's home in view of his family. The victim's dying words are a call for his wife, Marcella. One year later Cal learns that the victim's widow is a librarian, Marcella (Mirren), a catholic woman. Cal, burdened with guilt over his role in the murder, seeks to leave the IRA, but is pressured to remain a member. He and his father live in the city, where they are threatened with Unionist gangs and Orange Order marches on their street. Cal, wishing to atone in some way for assisting in the murder of Marcella's husband, seeks work in her family's (protestant) home. Initially he works as hand on their farm, and later moves into a small cottage on their land. Marcella is not happy in her home, feeling trapped by her deceased husband's family. Over time Cal and Marcella begin a love affair; during this time Marcella is unaware of Cal's role in her husband's death. Eventually, Cal is found by his IRA unit and is threatened with murder if he does not continue working as a driver. While he is Christmas shopping for Marcella and her child, he is abducted by the IRA. The car is stopped by a British Army checkpoint; in the ensuing gunfire, Cal escapes and makes his way to Marcella's home, where he confesses his role in the murder to her. Cal was pursued to the house by the RUC, and in the film's final scene both Cal and Marcella are seen in their respective 'prisons' - Cal on his way to prison in the police van, Marcella 'prisoner' in the home of her in-laws.
Cast
- Helen Mirren ... as Marcella
- John Lynch ... as Cal
- Donal McCann .... as Shamie
- Ray McAnally .... as Cyril Dunlop
- John Kavanagh ... as Skeffington
- Stevan Rimkus ... as Crilly
- Catherine Gibson ... as Mrs Morton
- Louis Rolston ... as Dermot Ryan
- Tom Hickey ... as Preacher
- Gerard Mannix Flynn ... as Arty
- Seamus Forde ... as Mr Morton
- Edward Byrne ... as Skeffington Sr
- J.J. Murphy ... as Man in Library
- Audrey Johnson ... as Lucy
- Brian Munn ... as Robert Morton
Tagline
- Out of Ireland's struggle, a passionate love is born.
