Basically "The Secret of Roan Inish" darkened with Irish realism including with alcoholism, kidney failure and, in the case of Colin Farrell, really bad hair and an impenetrable accent. Critics made a big deal about the thickness of the Irish brogues in this gritty fairy tale and for good reason - most American audiences and I suspect most others outside Ireland itself will catch every third word. Ultimately, Neil Jordan movies are more about place, tone and the unexpected emotional pops that catch you off-guard and these are in abundance here. The frank depictions of alcoholics recovering and otherwise tell a story that make their words largely superfluous and the wide shots of Ireland's darkly beautiful coast need no verbal accompaniment. Alison Barry, as the daughter of the "recovering" alcoholic Syracuse played by Farrell, and a definitely not recovering mother is more understandable. While she genuinely does a nice job in the part, her character Annie is a wee bit too self-sufficient, mature and together given all that is against her. A little more emotional vulnerability would have made the character more believable. The plot itself is solidly credible and it is worth staying around to see how it turns out. In short, if you can find a version with English subtitles this is worth the view, if not try "The Secret of Roan Inish" instead.
Review of Ondine
