Reviewed by Lizzie Husher
Stars Colin Farrell, Alicja Bachleda, Dirvla Kirwan, Tony Curran, Stephen Rea, Alison Barry, Emil Hostina, Tom Archdeacon,
Don Wycherley, Norma Sheahan
Written by Neil Jordan
Certification UK 12A | US PG-13
Runtime 111 minutes
Directed by Neil Jordan
While visually gorgeous and charming in its tone, Ondine is ultimately a little shallow in its illumination and a tad awkward in its execution to be anything more than a sweet and enjoyable fairytale romance.
Farrell plays Syracuse, a gruff Irish fisherman and recovering alcoholic who, while out trawling, finds a beautiful young woman (Bachleda) in his net. He kindly lets her stay in his late mother’s beach house while she recovers her memory and finds her legs (ahem), but is soon questioning her identity when his ailing young daughter suggests that she may be a fabled creature of the sea.
There’s no doubt that this is a lovely story and it’s refreshing to see some risks being taken by bringing to the screen such an unusual tale. Farrell plays the bewitched angler with such gentle melancholy and beautiful West Cork tones that it’s clear he has taken great care in employing the role. It’s almost possible to taste the sea air watching Wong Kar-Wai-collaborator Christopher Doyle’s photography, the blues, greens and greys of the Irish coast jump right off the screen and illustrate the timeless folkloric beauty of the story perfectly.
However, weak aspects of the plot constantly threaten to overshadow the film’s most promising quality; the dreamlike aspect so apparent in the first part of the film is all but lost when Ondine is seen and spoken of by the other occupants of the town. Had she been kept exclusively to Syracuse and his daughter for longer, the suspense would have been heightened and the romantic enigma a much more effective contrast to the contemporary worries that litter the characters’ lives. I would have liked to have seen Ondine and Syracuse develop a little more of their relationship as well, there’s no denying their on screen chemistry (Farrell and Bachleda became a couple while filming, too) but it seems a little too much time was devoted to showcasing her voluptuous form than their growing bond.
This is worth a watch though if only for the scenery and the gentle comedy between Farrell and his vicar and surrogate AA sponsor (Rea). And although it lacks the touching tragedy of Whistle Down the Wind, a modern day fairytale in a similar vain, it paints a lovely picture of two very different worlds colliding.
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SECOND OPINION | Daniel Turner *** There is a lot to like about director Neil Jordan’s whimsical Irish tale. The start of the film is charming, light and full of wit. Farrell (who I have long been a fan of) is very good in the role of Syracuse, a recovering alcoholic, unreliable father and the man seen as the village clown (he is nicknamed ‘Circus’ by everyone who knows him). The relationship between him and his daughter (played by the excellent Barry) is lovely to watch. Farrell exudes a genuine, heartfelt affection; she a sharp-minded wit and devotion to her father. There is also good support all round. Firstly from a barely recognisable Kirwan, as Syracuse’s permanently pissed-up ex-wife and Rea, who plays the local priest. I could quite easily fall in love with Bachleda’s Ondine. And visually we are treated well; excellent cinematography adds an important touch of class to proceedings.
But as we begin to get into the heart of the story, the film fails to really move up a gear either dramatically or emotionally. The middle seems overly long and drawn out – charm will only get you so far for so long. Then, as we head for the ‘will they won’t they’ denoument and the truth about Ondine’s appearance in this sleepy Irish fishing village begins to unfold, the story suddenly tries to cram in too much into too short a space of time. It leaves it feeling rushed rather than dramatic. Overall this is an enjoyable tale, with lots going for it. Leave any cynicism about mermaids, fantasy and Farrell at the door, snuggle up with a loved one and well, simply enjoy it for what it is – a whimsical, if a little sentimental, tale - with good performances and a slightly implausible storyline. If anything, just be thankful that you don’t have to spend as much time in the water poor Bachleda. The poor girl looks utterly freezing in almost every scene.