Call it a theory, but I am becoming more and more convinced that World War Two has been used as a backdrop for movies more than any other event in human history (perhaps because it occurred right around when movies really become a cultural phenomenon, not to mention the fact that Nazis never fail to make effective villains).
There have been so many of these movies that I have a timeline in my head (similar to the ones you would find about the MCU online) where certain stories (fictional or not) are being played, be it Dunkirk (2017), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Casablanca (1942), Grave of the Fireflies (1988), The King’s Speech (2010), Empire of the Sun (1987), Come and See (1985), JoJo Rabbit (2019), or Inglorious Basterds (2009) (the latter two being in an alternative universe). That does not even account for films about the Holocaust (which I would argue is a separate event).
Near the start of that timeline in my head is the new film by Steve McQueen, Blitz. Set in September of 1940, the film follows single mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) who is forced to send her 9 year old son George (newcomer Elliot Heffernan) with other kids out of harms way. Young George jumps the train, and is determined to make his way home.
The film reminded me of two aforementioned movies: Empire of the Sun and Come and See, both about young boys on their own adventures during the war (the latter being one of the most disturbing anti war films you could possible imagine.) In those films, it is all about the young protagonist, and I wish Blitz did the same. That is not to say Saoirse Ronan is at all bad (she never is), but every time we cut back to Rita, I felt less interested in the drama (the cutting back and forth between the two made it seem like this was based off of a book, which I was rather shocked to find out it was not.)
The story is actually by director Steve McQueen who has his first theatrical film since 2018’s Widows (although his Small Axe Series from 2020 was brilliant). From what I can tell, this is his first movie that is not rated R. I understand not wanting to have young George being filmed in horrifying events, but that is just what happened during World War Two: Horrifying events. McQueen has done films like that which depict the darkest parts of the human soul (I still can’t watch 2013’s 12 Years a Slave after seeing it only once), and it felt like the reigns were pulled back on him here.
That said, parents should know there is obviously some dramatic elements and moderate violent action (including one unexpected event on train tracks that, while not shown, is still disturbing). There is also one very minor bit of sexuality but nothing is really shown at all (only minorly heard). Middle school and up would be okay.
I am not saying that this is a bad movie, only that it could have been much more. Yes, a PG-13 rating will make it easier for young movie goers to see a historical war film, but I know of many parents (including my dad) who wanted me to see Saving Private Ryan before I was seventeen. Still, the film proves yet again why Ronan is one of the best actors of her generation, and that Heffernan is an actor to keep you eye on in the future.
Overall:
Nothing else to say 