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| Movie Review: Ondine Alternate Title: Catch of the Day
Story: One of my favorite writers
and director Neil Jordan (The Crying Game)
has delivered a somewhat quirky romance that starts off with an interesting
premise but sadly, drifts off into the crowded land of disappointment.
An Irish fisherman named Syracuse, who is down on his luck, and has
a young daughter who needs a kidney transplant, discovers a strange
woman in his fishing net while out at sea. This woman, named Ondine,
brings Syracuse luck as his catch of the day gets larger and larger.
Her presence in this small community eventually comes to light and things
begin to go awry.
The scenery is lovely, the characters are interesting but it takes
too long for anything to develop and then turns into a run of the mill
chase story. Is this film for everyone? Not really - but if you like
Ireland, myths about selkies, looking at pretty people and hearing lovely
music, check it out.
Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn7AQe8SqVA Acting: Colin Farrell as Syracuse, may finally have
grown up. He gives a sensitive performance and is always easy on the
eye. Alicja Bachleda as Ondine was interesting but
a bit vacuous. Alison Barry as Annie the daughter is
a bit too adorable.
Trivia: Alicja Bachleda was born in Tampico, Mexico
but grew up in Krakow, Poland. She met boyfriend Colin Farrell on this
movie set. In October 2009 she and her partner, Colin Farrell, welcomed
their first baby, son Henry Tadeusz.
Predilection: None
Critters: A gray seal, a mule, fish and lobsters
Food: Eggs and toast
Sex Spectrum: Perhaps some interspecies sex and perhaps
not.
Blatant Product Placement: none
Soundtrack: Lovely music by Kjartan Sveinsson
and songs by Sigur Ros
Opening Titles: An opening sequence showing the fisherman's
trawler going out to sea in a lovely landscape.
Theater Audience: Two other people and us.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I started to drift during hour two.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 5
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