Movie Number 36 of 2022
The Film: The Quiet Girl
The Cinema: The Sun Theatre, Yarraville
Stars: 5
The Quiet Girl is possibly the best film I've seen this year. And yes, this is a big call.
Blarney and I went to a lunchtime session this afternoon and both of us fell in love with the understated Irish gem.
Based on Claire Keegan's novella, Foster (Keegan is also in the running for this year's Booker Prize) it tells the story of Cait, the younger daughter of a large, dysfunctional family, who is sent to stay with distant relatives over the summer to give her long suffering, pregnant mother a break. When she gets to her relatives, she's looked after by Sean and Eileen Kinsella, older farming folk, who treat Cait with a quiet, steady love and respect. At first, Sean is reticent to have the child stay, but as time goes by, he's won over. Eileen give's Cait her first taste of a settled life.
Set in the early 80's, The Quiet Girl provides a snapshot into life outside of a family in tatters. For a family with a house where there are no secrets, a secret is uncovered. As Cait begins to blossom, you slowly realise there are going to be no winners at the end of the film.
Catherine Clinch is incredible as young Cait. She steals every scene with her quiet presences. Carrie Crowley and Andrew Bennett are equally as good as Eileen and Sean, her initially reluctant foster parents. Bennett is particularly good as the taciturn grump with a heart of gold. Blarney said that her reminded her of her own father, who never said much, by you knew from his actions that he loved you entirely. Michael Patric is also great as Cait's real, absent and rather useless father.
Colm Bairéad's script and direction are superb. Most of this film is in Gaelic with subtitles, which takes nothing away from the film. The cinematography is subtle and beautiful. The sets show Ireland in the 80s with truth. Both Blarney and I commented that we knew the kitchens in which much of the film was set (I also could relate to the milking of the cows and feeding of calves - I was doing the same as Cait at the same age).
The film is also shown in a box view rather than full screen, which gives it a slightly claustrophobic feel.
Not surprisingly, this film has been put forward as Ireland's pick for the 2023 Academy Awards in the Best International Film category.
It deserves every accolade it can find.
If you have Irish friends, recommend it to them. If you get a chance and are near an art house cinema, search this one out.
And if you go, take tissues. I cried buckets at the end.
1 comment:
I loved this movie. I related to being sent to distant but loving relatives for most school holidays.
Post a Comment