From Steve McQueen comes Blitz, a WWII drama-lite that feels a bit too polished and Disney-like for its own good.
McQueen has made some terrific movies in his career. From Hunger to Shame to 12 Years a Slave, not to mention the Small Axe collection of movies that were released unceremoniously to Amazon Prime in 2020 (a couple of those are absolutely stellar). They all have one thing in common: they’re serious, with some grit and possessing an utter sense of realism.
Blitz, released directly to Apple TV+, feels like it was made by a different director. Glossy, with a feel-good sentimentality and a story that is a bit hamfisted, is a major step down not only in entertainment value but quality. A director, of course, isn’t beholden to keep making the same types of movies; McQueen has more than earned the right to branch into other genres or change his style to meet whatever story catches his fancy.
And yet Blitz just feels like a miss, even if in the scheme of things it is mildly entertaining and not without its positives. Centered on the Blitzkrieg of London that began in September 1940, McQueen had the opportunity to present an immersive experience of survival and resilience, mixed with bombing raids and warfare. The movie has those elements, but it’s not really about those things–it’s about a boy (Elliott Heffernan) who, after being sent off to the countryside by his mom (Saoirse Ronan), jumps from the train and makes his way back to London, encountering a variety of situations and characters along the way. Meanwhile, his mother works in a factory in London and seeks refuge in the Tube when she has the opportunity.
The story just isn’t up to par.
Despite the movie’s mediocrity, Saoirse Ronan is always a treat to watch. She’s one of the most versatile actresses working today and while Blitz doesn’t give her the most challenging of roles, she elevates the material.
Blitz isn’t a complete by bomb by any means (pun intended)–McQueen has too much talent for that–but there’s a reason this WWII drama effectively went straight to Apple TV+.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.