Day-Lewis plays Gerry Conlon, Pete Postlethwaite is his father, Giuseppe, and much of the film’s strength lies in the interplay between these two actors as the younger Conlon gradually realises that he must take control of his life if justice is to be achieved. The British media responded with outrage to the film and particularly to national treasure Emma Thompson’s role in it as crusading lawyer Gareth Peirce. The film received seven Academy Award nominations and has become a seminal film in the cinematic recounting of Ireland’s challenging history.