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Cal

Play trailer Poster for Cal R 1984 1h 44m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Fraught with guilt about his involvement in the murder of a Protestant police officer, Irish Republican Army member Cal (John Lynch) eschews violence and longs to defect from the organization. He meets Marcella (Helen Mirren), the widow of the slain officer, at the local library and is instantly drawn to her. Their mutual feelings of confusion and distress bring them together, but their relationship faces obstacles. Cal must hide his secret from Marcella, while also dodging the police.
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Cal

Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) The touchstones include White Heat, Laura and The Driver, and the director Pat O’Connor embraces noir style, setting most of the key scenes in creepy night-time exteriors or shadow-drenched interiors. Rated: 4/5 Jun 13, 2025 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Mirren and Lynch’s love scene is a model for how to show sex in a grownup, candid, non-exploitative way; this was a career highlight for Mirren and an outstanding debut for the young Lynch. Rated: 5/5 Jun 13, 2025 Full Review Time Out The symbolism is thrashed just a little hard at times, but on the whole it's a most impressive debut from O'Connor, strongly acted all round. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Has its powerful moments. Rated: B Jan 26, 2006 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Rated: 3/5 Oct 8, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Jun 29, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Geke g Cal, very appropriate movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/24 Full Review Bahad j I really liked the characters and actions of the actors Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Munkhchimeg T Extremely good romantic and sad movie. Fantastic team and actors Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review isla s This is a low key film which has a chronology that some may find confusing. It is pretty downbeat for the most part but I thought the ending was somewhat poignant. It was interesting to see Helen Mirren in one of the roles. Not a bad film, if a little bleak and perhaps directionless seeming at times, by the very end its a good film but overall it's only ok, I'd say. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The "troubles" are a thing of the past. Gerry Adams trying for the mainstream, and everyone getting along. If you want to know how it was back in the eighties, you can watch this film with Helen Mirren and Belfast native John Lynch, both of them easy on the eyes. Helen Mirren has also been featured in two other films about the troubles, which are also worth seeing. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member A compelling film on a dark period. It is simple and quite in portrayal, leaves a strong impression. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Cal

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Cast & Crew

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Pat O'Connor

Director

Helen Mirren

Marcella

John Lynch

Cal

Donal McCann

Shamie

John Kavanagh

Skeffington

Ray McAnally

Cyril Dunlop

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Cal

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Movie Info

Synopsis Fraught with guilt about his involvement in the murder of a Protestant police officer, Irish Republican Army member Cal (John Lynch) eschews violence and longs to defect from the organization. He meets Marcella (Helen Mirren), the widow of the slain officer, at the local library and is instantly drawn to her. Their mutual feelings of confusion and distress bring them together, but their relationship faces obstacles. Cal must hide his secret from Marcella, while also dodging the police.
Director
Pat O'Connor
Producer
Stuart Craig, David Puttnam
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 14, 2017
Runtime
1h 44m
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