Hats off to Ireland's Neil Jordan. For years now,Neil has directed an impressive back log of feature films for the cinema (and for television). Ondine,his most recent addition, is another shining example of his talents as a gifted film maker. In this one,a lone fisherman,Syracuse,is out on his boat,when his net snags something really big,he draws in his net,finding a near dead attractive young woman in it. After reviving her,he takes her to a family owned cottage where nobody ever ventures to. There,he finds out a wee bit about her (but not much,outside of her name being Ondine). When Syracuse tells of his discovery to his young daughter,Annie,she sets about to find out about her,and imagines she's a Selkie (a creature drawn from Celtic lore,which is supposed to be related to seals). Eventually,the whole village finds out about Ondine,and warm up to her. Things begin to warm up between Syracuse,Ondine & Annie,until a mysterious stranger turns up on the island that threaten to tear it all apart. Neil Jordan writes & directs this beautiful story with a tart twist of lemon. The breath taking cinematography is by Christopher Doyle,with editing by Tony Lawson. The film's musical score is by Kjartan Sveinsson,of the Icelandic band,Sigur Ros,with songs by Sigur Ros & others. The cast includes Colin Ferrell,as Syracuse,Allicja Bachleda,as Ondine,Alison Barry,as Annie,Neil Jordan regular,Steven Rea as the priest,and Tony Curran,Dervla Kirwan,Emil Hostina & Norma Sheehan. Another crowd pleaser from Jordan. Rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some salty language,brief sensual content & some brief,but not too graphic flashes of violence
Review of Ondine
