lives with his family. There is no indication that she had any clues does not indicate that she was looking for him, though she then presents him with a neatly wrapped thank-you present.
We are not however surprised when George rapidly falls for Carla and ditches fiancee Maureen. Oyanka Cabezas gives an enthralling performance as Carla, alone in Glasgow and deeply distressed and traumatised by her experiences in war-corn Nicaragua.
Post traumatic stress disorder is usually discussed in relation to chooses here to look at the effects on a woman. Carla is a partisan in the conflict, a strong supporter of the Nicaraguan revolution, who has suffered herself, but perhaps more importantly witnessed hideous acts being carried out on her then partner, Antonio.
Loach has sometimes been criticised for his portrayals of women and certainly despite her centrality mould. When Carla and George travel to Nicaragua in the second half of the film we are struck by the warmth of her connection with her female family and friends " not least in the wonderfully tangible shots of their first embraces.
While still in Glasgow, we are treated to one important glimpse of a strong female character. George's younger sister is questioned by him about Nicaragua, so that he can cover his own igno.
Fresh from her Modern Studies class - which had me wondering if Scottish education had escaped from Thatcherite reform she explains the basics of the revolution, the civil war launched by the Contras against it and the opposition of America to the Sandinistas Robert Carlyle, as George, engages is a glorious piece of dare devil defiance in stealing the bus he is employed to drive and taking Carla up winding muddy lanes to the shores of Loch Lomond.
Complete madness this may well be, particularly when the bus becomes irretrievably stuck in a bog, but we are captivated not only by the breathtaking scenery but by Above: George (Robert Carlyle) tries to protect Carla (Oyanka Cabezas) during the Contra raid. Top: Bradley (Scott Glenn) says goodbye to Carla While this is powerful - and accurate stuff, the film stops short. It has been criticised elsewhere as overly polemical, but this is to miss the point. As inLand and Freedom. Loach is strong in showing how ordinary people can and do organise and sacrifice much,to combat oppression.
However, part of the significance of the previous film was to show the political debates and weaknesses amongst those who fought Franco in a graphic and accessible way.
Carla's Sone has no answers for chose who ask why the Sandinistas are no longer in power other than to point to the undoubtedly important role of Amicrican impctialism.
In ducking any analysis of the politics of the revolution, he weakens the film - and ironically leaves it more open to accusations of being overly polemical.
Whatever its failures, Carla's song remains a gripping, moving and rascinating mim. it is packed with scenes of great tenderness and sensuality and shots of magnificent scenery which enhance the mood of the action.
While not matching the promise of Land and Freedom, it remains one of the most politically powerful films available. The sight of George driving the stolen tries lanes to Ben Lomond will stay with me for a very long time,