That scenario is echoed throughout the film, which introduces a demographic cross-section as the camera trails its subjects across the boroughs.

WSJ: Lives of 'Canners' Come Up for Oscar Moment

But at least there is now a new focus and the two most difficult subjects have been tackled, the Northern Ireland assembly and cross-border arrangements.

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Each would have covered three key subjects, with each man making brief opening and closing statements and then cross-examining each other over their answers.

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