Even the comedy in The Belly of the Whale is at the grimmer end of the cinematic spectrum. Anyway, Morgan Bushe’s directorial debut concerns itself with the relationship between young tearaway Joey Moody (Lewis MacDougall) and miserable alcoholic Ronald Tanner (Pat Shortt). Both run dangerously against a corrupt politician who exhibits a jocular malignity that is Michael Smiley’s own. Ronald speaks as Pat Shortt normally does. Michael Smiley’s character – forenamed Gits, I’m afraid – sounds as if he’d be more comfortable within sight of the Lagan.

Source: The Irish Times December 06, 2018 06:00 UTC