What Richard Did (2013) (1hr 28 mins)
This
gripping Irish drama from director Lenny Abrahamson (Garage, Adam and Paul) is built around an interesting study
of its main character. We first see Richard (Jack Renyor) joking around
with his mates. He appears to be popular and carefree, the good looking star of the school
rugby team relaxing in the summer holidays before starting university.
Our first impression is of a young man who has everything he could want, especially
when he entices the attractive Roisin to leave her boyfriend Connor and pair up
with him.
But it’s not
long before we realise that first appearances are deceptive. We begin to see
another side of Richard, someone who can be a loner, insecure, brooding,
melancholy. When Roisin talks to her ex, he is immediately jealous and on
guard. He expresses his hurt by criticising her for not talking enough to his
father. We learn that Richard’s father has suffered from depression and seems
anxious that his son doesn’t wrestle with similar problems. It seems his family
have high expectations of him.
When Richard
and Roisin attend a party, Richard is troubled that she doesn’t spend any time
with him. He goes outside to smoke and his mood is not improved when Connor
arrives. Then Richard is stopped from rejoining the party and has to wait
outside, knowing Roisin and Connor may be together. When Roisin finally
appears, Connor is with her and starts a fight with Richard. In one moment of
violence, Richard releases his pent-up anger, with tragic consequences.
Although when Richard leaves, Connor seems to be okay, there’s a report on the radio the next morning that he has been
found dead at the scene of the fight.
The second
half of the film shows us how Richard struggles to come to terms with what has
happened. His first instinct is to deny any involvement but the guilt proves
difficult to live with, and he receives scant support from Roisin or from his
father, who sends him away as if wanting to be rid of the problem.
What makes
the film fascinating for the viewer is that Richard has many facets and we are
unsure how to react to him. He can be witty and warm-hearted but also selfish
and manipulative. Is he to blame for what happened? Or is he a victim of a
tragic accident and of Roisin’s apparent willingness to spend more time with
Connor than with him.
Abrahamson
wisely gives us plenty of space to observe Richard as he struggles to make
sense of his situation and decide whether or not to hand himself in to the
police. But at the end of the film you might still be undecided quite what to
think about him.
Rating: 8/10
