Closing the Ring is a 2007 drama film directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, and Mischa Barton. It tells the story of a group of friends and lovers during World War II and how their lives are intertwined with their descendants in the present day.
The film begins in 1943, where a group of young men from a small Irish village leave to fight in the war. Among them is Teddy, who is in love with Ethel Ann, the daughter of a wealthy factory owner. Teddy's best friend Jack is also in love with Ethel Ann, but she chooses Teddy. However, before Teddy goes to war, he gives Ethel Ann a ring and tells her to give it to Jack if he doesn't come back.
Fast forward to the present day, where a construction crew in Belfast finds the wreckage of a crashed plane from the war. Among the items found is a ring with Teddy's initials on it. Despite not knowing who the owner is, one of the workers, Jimmy, decides to find the owner and return the ring.
Jimmy travels to Michigan and meets Ethel Ann, who is now an elderly widow. She tells Jimmy about Teddy and how he was killed in battle. However, Jimmy also discovers that Jack is still alive and living nearby. Ethel Ann must confront her past and decide whether to meet Jack and give him the ring as Teddy had requested.
As the story unfolds, we also see the lives of other characters affected by the war, including Teddy's sister, who falls in love with an American soldier, and a young girl who becomes a victim of wartime tragedy. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the lasting impact of war on ordinary people.
Closing the Ring received mixed reviews from critics, but was praised for its performances and emotional impact. It was also one of the last films directed by Richard Attenborough before his death in 2014.