Barry Levinson Conflict

The Troubles were a time in European history full of violence and constitutional conflict. In 1968, a simple but integral civil rights march turned into what is known today as one of the most brutal times in European history. The troubles were not a religious conflict but a constitutional conflict between Irish nationalist, who tended to be catholic and unionist who tended to be protestant. The conflict at hand was the constitutional status of Northern ireland, one faction wanted an united Ireland and the other wanted to stay with the United Kingdom. In the film , “ Everlasting piece” Barry Levinson” masterfully displayed the tribulations of the time period and also how two individuals of opposite opinions and cultures could coexist in peace

While George and Colm were content at their jobs they decided to reopen a hairpiece business of an estranged psychopath, calling themselves the “piece people.” During these events Colm and George find out there is another hair piece dealer in town and decides to compete to determine who stays in town and who disbands. Levinson then puts Colm in a predicament where he could win the entire competition if he sells all of his wigs to the IRA whom he agrees with politically. Ideally one would think this is a viable option, but Bronagh, Colm's spouse, reminded him that his partner is a protestant. Levinson has been foreshadowing this conflict since the beginning of the film and does so to show to viewer that the political and cultural divide between the Irish nationalist and Unionist is very evident. Colm decides not to sell the wigs to the IRA to salvage his friendship with his partner. On the other hand, Bronagh found an alternative way to sell the wigs: the british army. The soldier's hair was falling out of their heads in patches due to stress. Levinson also uses this as an ideal conflict of the time because Colm is a Irish Nationalists, who disagrees with the British politically. Why would he sell wigs to the opposition? Well, reason being , Levison used this scene as a defining moment in the movie to show that everyone is equal regardless of political belief. Colm calls it a “gesture” and sells the wigs to the british army, winning the competition. This Scene and conflict as a whole signifies that even the smallest of ordeals were major to the opposing sides during the troubles. The conflict in “Everlasting piece” was resolved just as the troubles were resolved by the Good Friday Agreement. The agreement stated that Northern Ireland would remain part of the UK until a majority of citizens from both Northern ireland and the republic of