Four Days in July was Mike Leigh's final television film for the BBC and indeed his final television film before he returned to the big screen in 1988 with High Hopes. In contrast to his previous television plays, Four Days in July isn't set in England, but in Belfast, and takes place over four days against the backdrop of the Troubles in Ireland.
Four Days in July is probably the most atypical look at the Troubles imaginable. Nothing major happens: the story instead examines Protestant and Catholic attitudes simply by having characters talking to each other and thus airing their views. It contrasts two couples: Charles Lawton plays Protestant (and British soldier) Billy, and Paula Hamilton his wife Lorraine, whilst Des McAleer and Brid Brennan play a Catholic couple, Collette and Eugene. Both couples are expecting a baby, and the babies are inevitably born at roughly the same time (on the 12th July, the Protestant celebration in Northern Ireland known as the Twelfth) and in the same hospital. Leigh is able to contrast the couples side by side: both are daunted by impending parenthood, allowing Leigh to focus on the things that unite them as well as the views that divide them. In keeping with this idea, the climax sees Billy and Eugene - who don't otherwise know each other or meet during the story - sharing a waiting room whilst their wives give birth, with the company of a third expectant father, in the shape of the obnoxious, agitated Mr Roper, played by John Hewitt. Afterwards, Lorraine and Collette occupy neighbouring beds on the labour ward, and discuss their babies.
Thus, despite the backdrop, it focuses on ordinary people, like most of Leigh's work. Typically, it's also often quite funny, right from the opening scene in which Billy and his fellow soldier stop and question the eccentric Mr McCoy, resulting in the man giving a prolonged rant at them, which involves his facts being corrected and then turns into a short discussion of his vicious pet rabbit. Later in the story, there's a lengthy discussion about how toilets work. The banter between Shane Connaughton's Brendan and Stephen Rea's Dixie - both friends of Eugene - is a highlight.
The Belfast location filming roots the story in its setting, and benefits from dynamic cinematography from Remi Adefarasin. Composer Rachel Portman provides an Irish-themed soundtrack, which further enhances the atmosphere. The camera often lingers on graffiti from both sides of the conflict, adding further background texture. Leigh's almost unique approach to film making results in the usual impressive and naturalistic performances from his cast members, all of whom are fully immersed in their roles.
Four Days in July saw Mike Leigh and the BBC part company, bringing a long and fruitful relationship to an end; afterwards, his cinema career would take off, resulting in a new film every few years up until the present day. It marks a strong ending to an often neglected and unappreciated body of work, and one that deserves to find a whole new audience now that it is available on home media.
