Cal (1984 film)

Cal is a 1984 Irish drama film directed by Pat OConnor and starring John Lynch and Helen Mirren. Based on the novella Cal written by Bernard MacLaverty who also wrote the script, the film was entered into the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, where Mirren won the award for Best Actress.

One year later, Cal learns that the victims widow is a librarian, Marcella Helen Mirren, a Catholic woman. Burdened with guilt over his role in the murder, Cal tries to leave the IRA, but is pressured to remain a member. He and his father live in the city, where they are threatened with loyalist gangs and Orange Order marches on their street. Wishing to atone in some way for assisting in the murder of Marcellas husband, Cal seeks work in her familys Protestant home. Initially he works as a hand on their farm, and later moves into a small cottage on their land. Marcella is not happy in her home, feeling trapped by her deceased husbands family. Over time, Cal and Marcella begin a love affairwith Marcella unaware of Cals role in her husbands death.Eventually, Cal is found by his IRA unit and is threatened with murder if he does not continue working as a driver. While he is Christmas shopping for Marcella and her child, he is abducted by the IRA. The car is stopped by a British Army checkpoint. In the ensuing gunfire, Cal escapes and makes his way to Marcellas home, where he confesses his role in the murder. Cal is pursued to the house by the RUC, and in the films final scene both Cal and Marcella are seen in their respective prisonsCal on his way to prison in a police van, and Marcella on her way back to her inlaws home. ........

Source: Wikipedia