Life's a Breeze

Life's a Breeze is a 2013 Irish family drama film that follows the story of a working-class family, the Rileys. The film is directed by Lance Daly and features Kelly Thornton, Fionnula Flanagan, and Pat Shortt in lead roles.

The movie is set in Dublin, Ireland where Nan (Fionnula Flanagan), an elderly woman, lives a simple life in a cluttered home. She shares her home with her son Colm (Pat Shortt) who is unemployed and spends his days watching TV and smoking cigarettes. Colm's daughter, Emma (Kelly Thornton) works at a fast-food restaurant and is the only source of income for the family.

The film takes a turn when Nan's home is chosen by a well-meaning TV crew to take part in a house makeover show. The family's haphazard way of life serves as the premise of the makeover as the TV crew works to transform their house and make it a more livable space. However, when the group becomes unaware that Nan has stuffed her life-savings of 1,000 euros in a ratty old mattress that they throw away, the family embarks on a treasure hunt of sorts to find it.

Life's a Breeze is a heartwarming tale of family bonds, love, and belonging. The film's underlying themes revolve around the struggles of the working-class family, highlighting the harsh realities of unemployment, poverty, and financial instability. It also focuses on the generation gap between Nan, Colm, and Emma, as well as the profound changes that they each face.

The movie's cast gives incredible performances, with Fionnula Flanagan delivering a standout performance as Nan, who portrays the devoted grandmother in a touching and subtle manner. Thorton is also remarkable as Emma, showing great emotional range with her character's array of emotional troubles.

Life's a Breeze is a beautifully shot film, capturing the energy and character of Dublin, Ireland. It is said to have an authentic feel to it with subtle humor and a light-hearted screenplay. The cinematography captures the city life of Dublin with great detail, emphasizing the energy and liveliness of the city. The film's insightful commentary on Dublin's modernity and how it has affected the working-class family is commendable.

The soundtrack of the film also beautifully complements the narrative, setting the mood for different sequences. The use of traditional Irish music and popular Dublin bands adds depth to the film and provides a fantastic and unique interpretation of Dublin's culture and lifestyle.

The film's screenplay is brimming with emotion and depth without becoming too sentimental. Lance Daly creates a world that is both bleak and hopeful, exploring the difficulties that families face in Ireland's ever-changing society. The character arcs of the family members are realistic, and the challenges they face are relatable and reflective of real-life situations.

In conclusion, Life's a Breeze is a humorous and engaging family drama that proves to be a must-watch for its relatable plot, witty screenplay, and heartfelt performances. Despite exploring heavy themes such as financial instability, the film moves forward with an identifiable spirit of hope and warmth, making it an absolute delight to watch.