Cal

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Cal

R

1984

1h 44m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Has its powerful moments.

Rated: B

Jan 26, 2006

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Oct 8, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 29, 2005

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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

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John Lynch

Cal

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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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