A central irony explored is how the perpetrator (Alistair) has spent years seeking peace and atonement, while the victim (Joe) has been trapped and "morphed" by his lifelong hatred.
In Lurgan, a 17-year-old member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), Alistair Little, murders 19-year-old Catholic Jim Griffin. The act is witnessed by Jim's 11-year-old brother, Joe. This part of the film is based on a real historical event. Five Minutes of Heaven
The story fast-forwards 33 years to an imagined meeting between the adult Alistair (played by Liam Neeson) and Joe (played by James Nesbitt). A television production team attempts to film their reconciliation, unaware that Joe is actually seeking revenge—his "five minutes of heaven". Key Highlights & Themes A central irony explored is how the perpetrator