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- The Irish Sun
Colm Meaney ‘haunting' as Ian Bailey but mixed reviews emerge for new Jim Sheridan film on tragic Sophie murder
ACTOR Colm Meaney has been hailed for his 'haunting' performance as Ian Bailey in Jim Sheridan's new film about the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.
Re-Creation premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in
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Colm Meaney stars as Ian Bailey in the new film about Sophie Toscan du Plantier's murder
Credit: PR Handout image
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Sophie was murdered in her holiday home in 1996
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Bailey was investigated by the Gardai for her murder
Credit: Sky UK 2021 / Barbara McCarthy
Inspired by the
The British journalist was investigated by
But the Irish
He
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READ MORE ON SOPHIE'S CASE
Sophie's uncle
Undoubtedly there will be much interest in how
While the Bailey character appears only in silence, website writes that: 'His presence looms large. His mute performance is haunting — it reflects how Bailey, a man loudly protesting his innocence for decades, was silenced more by public opinion than by any court.'
However, reviews of the
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The HoloFiles wrote: 'As the film progresses, a critical error becomes clear. Re- Creation does very little to orient viewers to the case of
'It heavily depends on prior exposure to and familiarity with the murder of Toscan Du Plantier.
Sophie Toscan du Plantier's son on RTE's Late Late Show – saying he's 'ready to close chapter' after Bailey death
'If, like us, you approach the film without a rather thorough understanding of the case, there will be more than a few times where you find yourself confused.'
'COMPELLING VIEWING'
But the reviewer added: 'Even when the film becomes muddled in confusing details of the case, the interactions between the members of the jury make for compelling viewing.'
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HoloFiles also praised the movie's 'authentic performances'.
They include director Jim, who plays Juror 1, who the website lauds for his 'extraordinary naturalism, so much so that one often feels like you're watching an actual person in a documentary'.
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'Not a likeable character, regardless of whether he was the killer of not.'
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'As the film progresses, a critical error becomes clear. Re- Creation does very little to orient viewers to the case of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier."
HoloFiles
Critics also praised Phantom Thread actress Vicky Krieps as Juror 8, who kicks off the story as the lone holdout of the jury.
Unlike the others, Krieps' character feels the murder case warrants
a not-guilty verdict, much to the utter dismay of the other jurors.
The film shows flashbacks to evidence being presented by Aidan Gillen, who plays prosecutor Hamilton Barnes, while Vicky intensely battles over the verdict with
But website The HoloFiles said that 'as a film about an investigation, Re-Creation falls short'.
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'NOT TRYING TO UPSET THEM'
Sheridan, a six-time
He added: 'I'm not trying to upset them, I'm not trying to do anything to them.
'But if there's a possibility that Ian Bailey didn't do it and he's pursued and hounded for 25 years, you can't cure one crime by committing another.'
No release date has yet been given for Re-Creation in Ireland.
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TIMELINE OF SOPHIE CASE
December 23, 1996:
Sophie's battered body, still in night clothes, is found outside her holiday home near Schull, west Cork, by a neighbour.
February 10, 1997:
Ian Bailey is arrested at his home for the murder but is later released.
April 17, 1997:
Inquest hears Sophie died from multiple injuries, including laceration of the brain and skull fracture, caused by a blunt instrument.
January 27, 1998:
Ian Bailey is arrested and quizzed for a second time, but is again released without charge.
January 2002:
A review is ordered into the murder investigation after a highly critical report is written by a solicitor.
June 2008:
A French magistrate orders the exhumation of Sophie's body for a post-mortem and forensic examination.
July 2008:
An inquiry into the handling of the murder probe recommends no prosecution.
June to October 2009:
French authorities travel to West Cork to view the crime scene and meet Irish investigators. Two Garda detectives travel to
February 19, 2010:
A French judge issues a European Arrest Warrant.
April 23, 2010:
March 18, 2011:
High Court orders Bailey to surrender to European arrest warrant but he appeals to Supreme Court.
March 1, 2012:
The Supreme Court rules in Bailey's favour in his appeal against extradition.
May 31, 2019:
Bailey is found guilty of Sophie's murder in his absence in France. He is sentenced to 25 years in
June 21, 2019:
French authorities issue a third
October 12, 2020:
High Court rules against Bailey being extradited. Later, State decides not to appeal. It ends attempts to extradite Bailey.
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Jim Sheridan said the film was not intended to cause any distress to Sophie's family
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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No release date has been announced yet for Ireland
Credit: PR Handout image
