Shadows
Before getting on the ship to London Gerry walks with his dad as he tells Gerry about how he jumped ship to stay in Belfast with his mother. As they make their way to the entrance Sheridan shoots them in shadows and the shadow of the gateway to the boat cuts through their bodies. The imagery shows that the relationship between the two men is not a full one as the two men only see versions of each other. The versions that don't include a deep love or respect for one another.
Dancing
Gerry and Paul are seen dancing to "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan on the boat from Belfast to London as they drink Guinness. The imagery shows the willingness of the two men to choose to be carefree in times of great distress. That their focus is on their own individual perspectives to be validated in order that they be given the freedom that only they define. They aren't interested in true freedom, but instead free love and the release from the pain and destruction they are part of on a day to day basis. It's as though the two are celebrating that they will be able to stay the same, get out of Belfast and be able to find the "pleasures" of life from partying in London.
Separated
We see that one of the men who live in the free love home in London does not like Gerry and Paul as the man's has eyes for a woman in the house who likes Gerry. After a bomb goes off in London, the man sits perched on the second floor with wood beams underneath him. He looks through to Gerry and Paul as they walk into the house. The imagery of this man perched above everyone shows us how he feels superior to them and from this attitude is willing to completely separate himself from the two men, and even be a threat to their freedom.
Rubble
Sheridan shows the city of Belfast with bricks and rubble scattered across the streets. Broken down, rusted cars are used to block entry to streets. This imagery shows us that Belfast is not a cozy place where people make a home, but a war zone that families must endure in order to stay alive.
