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The coming of age story, set in the wealthy suburbs of Dublin, follows the popular high school hotshot Richard Karlsen (Jack Reynor) as he grapples with guilt after a terrible, but unintended crime that he committed out of jealousy. The film begins with Richard and his friends at a beach party to close out the summer before they all head off to university. Immediately we sense a fiery attraction between Richard and the beautiful Lara (Roisin Murphy). The only thing standing between Richard and the girl of his dreams is Conor (Sam Keeley), another member of the “in crowd.” 

A large portion of the film is the lead-up to the altercation that ends Richard’s identity as the golden boy. Through scenes of beach parties, sex, smoking and passing the time with senseless conversation, the tension builds between Richard and Conor. 

During the last party of the summer, Richard spots Conor leaning into Lara in an all-too intimate conversation. Richard grabs Lara to leave as the party breaks up, but when Conor follows the couple out, it’s the final straw. The chaotic and deadly physical altercation that follows ends with a hazy sense of who committed the crime. The small beach community tries to make sense of what happened and bring about justice, meanwhile Richard silently suffers with guilt. 

Richard is forced to re-examine his idea of himself in this sobering tale of morality. At times, this film’s honesty is hard to watch. Richard is charismatic, bright and essentially good, but his terrible, yet unintentional, action calls into question the idea of binary oppositions of good and evil. Actor Jack Reynor gives an honest, raw performance that is uncomfortably realistic. 

“What Richard Did” challenges its audience to re-examine their ideas of right and wrong. Even after Richard commits this terrible act, you feel on his side about the situation. Even though you hate what Richard did, there’s a sense of moral ambiguity because his act was unintended. In the end, the film brings about feelings of uncertainty. 

“What Richard Did” won five Irish Film & Television Awards for best film, best director, best script, best actor and best editing. The film, which was released in Ireland in October 2012, was picked up by Tribeca Film and will release sometime this spring. 

Reach Contributor Katie Lemon here.