‘Blitz’ Review: Saoirse Ronan in Steve McQueen’s Admirably Crafted but Overly Clichéd Tribute to London’s Survival in World War II
Steve McQueen’s Blitz presents a richly detailed yet expansive portrayal of war-torn London in 1940, as experienced by a nine-year-old boy, Elliott Heffernan (newcomer), yearning to return home to his lone mother, Rita (played by Saoirse Ronan). Not surprisingly, given its location, the movie mirrors the hardships and melodrama often found in Dickensian works. However, unlike Charles Dickens, it provides minimal instances of the humorous relief that he was known for. Yet, there’s no disputing its powerful message about the hardships endured by ordinary people when civilian areas are bombarded.