2019 Directed by Nick Rowland
In darkest rural Ireland, ex-boxer Douglas 'Arm' Armstrong has become the feared enforcer for the drug-dealing Devers family, whilst also trying to be a good father to his autistic five-year-old son, Jack. Torn between these two families, Arm's loyalties are truly tested when he is asked to kill for the first time.
Sue Bruce-Smith Michael Fassbender Andrew Lowe Ed Guiney Will Clarke Sam Lavender Conor McCaughan Mike Runagall Celine Haddad Daniel Emmerson Daniel Battsek Sarah Dillon
The Shadow of Violence, ئارامی لەگەڵ ئەسپەکان, 종말
Calm With Horses is a remarkable directorial debut from Nick Rowland which delivers a simultaneously gripping story which apprehends estranged loyalties and tormented masculinity with some great visuals from cinematographer Piers McGrail. Based on a short story by Colin Barrett and adapted by Joesph Murtaugh, it features some stunning performances and doesn't shy away from moments of intense violence. It also features a wonderful score from Blanck Mass, which acts as a soundscape to the deeply troubled mentality of the central protagonist.
The film is incredible in its implementation, so while the straightforward narrative of a man yearning for deliverance might not be unique, the commitment from the entire cast elevates the material considerably. The priority from the filmmaker always…
2020 Releases Ranked-HERE
What a great film Calm with Horses turned out to be. This heartwarming, brutal story focuses on Douglas ‘Arm' Armstrong, a feared enforcer for the drug-dealing Devers family who’s loyalties are tested when he is asked to kill for the first time.
First time, feature-length director Nick Rowland does a fantastic job with the in your face violence that’s portrayed throughout. Once the film reaches its conclusion, the end result may not be unique in its simple narrative about a misunderstood man, but is unique in its undoubtedly stunning execution nevertheless.
‘Arm’ played by Cosmo Jarvis is incredible, his struggle of being an enforcer for one of the biggest drug families in Ireland whilst trying to be…
I think Barry Keoghan is beautiful lol forever blown away by him eating spaghetti in The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Brooding Irish beauty
Triumphant feature debut with an extremely talented director - i pissed next to him in the urinals at my screening.
✅82%
YouTube review coming🔜
2020 list - Click HERE
2020 hasn’t been all that kind to us as movie-lovers, but I (as we all do) hope to gather information and learn some lessons this year. Our first lesson comes to us from this unexpected gem of a film, and this the fact that “Cosmo Jarvis crushes his role in Calm with Horses.” The duel-name dilemma always tends to confuse me because I’m just not sure which way to go. I’m going with its original title, but it honestly could go either way. I may be the only one because A Shadow of Violence sounds cooler, but Calm with Horses honestly describes our situation a bit better. Douglas Armstrong has become the…
“Calm With Horses” was Nick Rowland’s feature debut which to me is insane.
Most directors first feature is usually quite weak compared to the rest of their filmography but Rowland knocks it out of the park on his first try. Rowland’s direction was fantastic, his compositions were spectacular and the exterior shots of Ireland really created the hyper-intense atmosphere that the film possesses.
The film’s storytelling is truly gritty. The film doesn’t hold back and is even hard to watch at points. The film doesn’t feel tampered with or Hollywood-ised in any sense but feels like Rowland’s complete vision was put to screen. The film is violent, authentic and heartbreaking in all the best ways.
A problem that many “crime”…
A score/soundtrack like Drive, the grittiness of Trainspotting but still has a certain unique feel to it. It wasn’t really what I was expecting but it’s probably better than I was anticipating. Even though it’s about violence and brutality, it has a pretty sad and heartfelt story. Some of those scenes will choke you up.
The storyline became a little muddled in the last 30 minutes and I feel like I was robbed of an ending as it became a bit rushed... but top notch acting and directing.
Nick Rowland's directorial debut is in many ways a classic debut crime film, but in it's subtlety, tone, and nuanced performances presents one of the most promising debuts of the year. It's somewhat anticlimactic finale that's shot with as much verve and stakes as the first fight sequence is proof that Rowland seems to have a knack for this visual storytelling thing. Cosmo Jarvis's character work was transformative. His final one take dialogue scene graduated not only his performance but him, onto a higher tier for me. He's an incredibly promising talent.
I can't wait to see their respective follow ups. Highly recommended! Michael Fassbender can produce a movie I like? Who knew?!
Director Nick Rowland certainly makes his mark here with this, his debut feature. It's a bleak, often both violent and touching story of 'Arm', a low rent enforcer for a particularly scummy criminal gang. It documents his struggle to be a father to an autistic 5 year old, whilst dealing with the increasing demands of his employer's needs. Cosmo Jarvis delivers a powerhouse performance as 'Arm', and has heavy shades of Matthias Schoenaerts in Bullhead. His equally hulking presence, combines with an emotionally broken persona, formed from a life of very hard knocks. He is matched onscreen by his love interest Ursula, played by a terrific Niamh Algar, and she's a(much needed) beacon of light amongst the darkness. There's a…
This had me tense the whole way through.
Such a phenomenal performance from main lead Cosmo Jarvis. Damn.
Calm with Horses may be centred on a drug-dealing family in Ireland, but you'd be forgiven for thinking this is your typical showy gangster flick with pretentious tough guys. Not even close.
This isn't about gangs and guns. Not even about the drugs.
This is about the loyal muscle to the town's feared Devers family. A man they tend to treat as a simpleton, when in truth, their ex-boxer enforcer is a level-headed gentle giant; and they don't deserve him.
The movie was a 10/10 on all fronts for me - looks, style, score and execution was first class. And bleak as fuck.
A confident, beautifully shot directorial debut. Loved the synth soundtrack! At times, it felt like a gritty Irish version of Drive. Cosmo Jarvis gives an outstanding performance. I was in tears for the final 15 minutes of the film. Seek this out, you won’t regret it!
