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2010, All, book, children, colin farrel, commentary, Family, film review, fisherman, fishing, independent film, ireland, love story, message in a bottle, Movie Reviews, movie set, News, ondine, relationship, sea, Thoughts & Commentary
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You know the movie you are watching is intriguing and memorable when you utter no words for the duration of the movie. I don’t know about you but when that happens I know I am really enjoying the film. The movie I will share with you today is called Ondine.
This is a love story, drama and fantasy film that you will definitely fall in love with after watching. Colin Farrel (Syracuse) plays a fisherman who has lived a troubled life. He has not been all that successful at fishing; but he’s a loving father that cares for his little girl. They have a great relationship although Farrel (Syracuse) lost custody of Annie (Alison Barry). One day while fishing Syracuse pulls in his net to find a huge catch – his real life girlfriend Alicja Bachleda who plays Ondine. After reviving her on the boat he later returned to his home to take care of her. A relationship develops between the two leading actors but not without its own struggles. The first half of the film is like a fantasy, a fairy tale in total contrast to the second. Ondine catches up with her dark past and comes face to face with men whom she would like to remain in her history.
The anchor in the film is Annie the little girl, daughter of Syracuse. Her investigative intuitiveness at trying to find the source of Ondine reveals much. Annie and Ondine ends up sharing secrets to the end. Although Ondine is restrained to a wheelchair she becomes one of the driving forces behind the film.
In addition to the love Ondine brings Syracuse, she brings him success at sea which baffles him. Ondine has special skills where she sings on the fishing ventures out at sea and miraculously his catches turn out great. My favorite moment in the film is where Ondine tells Syracuse of her dark past and ends it by saying “you gave me a second chance at life.” It was a special moment for Syracuse because he knew he needed her and she loved him.
Moments close to the end it brings bitter sweet moments as she confronts people from her past. It was inspiring to see real love portrayed between Syracuse and Ondine. It was not explored in the film but it’s interesting to note the role Annie played in her father’s life. many times we do the right thing for the people we care for in our lives.
The acting was phenomenal, hands down good across the board. A list actors always deliver great on screen delivery that is breath taking to watch. Farrel was much smaller in Ondine as he lost pounds to play the role in this independent film directed by Neil Jordan. The movie was filmed in South West Ireland and the images in the movie are simply divine. I imagined myself there as the movie showed different scenes from beautiful Ireland. Choosing the location was a good decision – the backdrops I would give two thumbs up for. For such a love story the setting gave it a country feeling which was elegant. The cinematography in the film was good. Compared to top movies I’ve seen for 2010 this will be among the top. The movie surrounds six characters, quite small. This was not a disadvantage for the film in my opinion as it worked. For a love story and drama it wasn’t busy and all over the place. Ondine is French and as the cliche goes the French makes the best lovers.
After watching the movie it brought me back to a book I read months ago Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks.
Official Trailer
Colin Farrell, IFTA Winner 2010, Actor in a Lead Role Film for Ondine
12 comments
May 28, 2010 at 8:28 PM
You had me at Colin Farrell! Loooove him
I have always really enjoyed books and movies based on mermaids ever since I was young for some reason…Have you seen “Mermaids” with Cher and Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci? Awesome movie, it’s one of my all time favorites. And as far as books go, two of my favorite fiction books are also mermaid-related…”Sea Change” by Aimee Friedman and the more recent “Daughters of the Sea: Hannah” by Kathryn Lansky. Can’t wait to see this one with gorgeous Colin!
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May 28, 2010 at 10:59 PM
I just came across this trailer the other day and was immediately intrigued. After reading this, I’m even more so. I do so love Colin and have always thought that he was a much better actor than what he was getting credit for. Looking forward to seeing this movie, but…as with most movies that are not big-company productions, I’ll probably have to see it when it comes out on DVD….and that will probably be sometime next year. ~~sigh~~ the downside to NOT living closer to the States!
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May 28, 2010 at 11:44 PM
@Crystal
I have not read a mermaid book. I grew up in a community where the residents say they have seen mermaids though. Fact or Fiction? More like Fiction.
This movie is a hit though.
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Crystal Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 11:58 PM
Wow, I didn’t know people really believed in them but after seeing that baby smoking cigarettes, anything’s possible right LOL?!? The book “Sea Change” is quite good, it’s about a mer-man which is kinda unique.
But I really see the movie “Mermaids” sometime, it was such a great and underrated drama which was set in the 1960′s (though it really didn’t have that much to do with real mermaids, it was just kind of a metaphor for the constant change and metamorphosis in their lives and for the accident that happens later in the movie I think.) The singer Cher played a hot cougar-ish type single mother who keeps moving her family from town to town and Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci played her daughters. Very quirky and well acted like this movie with Colin seems to be!
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May 28, 2010 at 11:44 PM
@Debbie
I think you should see this movie even if it is on a DVD
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May 29, 2010 at 12:02 AM
Wow, I didn’t know people really believed in them but after seeing that baby smoking cigarettes, anything’s possible right LOL?!? The book “Sea Change” is quite good, it’s about a mer-man which is kinda unique.
But see the movie “Mermaids” sometime, it was such a great and underrated drama which was set in the 1960’s (though it really didn’t have that much to do with real mermaids, it was just kind of a metaphor for the constant change and metamorphosis in their lives and for the accident that happens later in the movie I think.) The singer Cher played a hot cougar-ish type single mother who keeps moving her family from town to town and Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci played her daughters. Very quirky and well acted like this movie with Colin seems to be!
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May 29, 2010 at 12:28 AM
@Crystal
I will work harder to fit in book purchases. I love to read! Hopefully I will read Sea Change. I’d love to watch that movie you mentioned Mermaid….seems interesting.
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May 29, 2010 at 7:20 PM
I’m not sure I could watch a movie where the main character has the same name as a city in upstate New York. It would get really confusing.
.-= Dennis the Vizsla´s last blog ..Pugforgiven =-.
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May 30, 2010 at 6:40 PM
This is a movie I had never heard of, so thanks. It does seem to have a good theme and good actors.
Hope all is well.
.-= Luisa Doraz´s last blog ..A SMART BIRD VIDEO*….too cute to not share =-.
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June 2, 2010 at 8:38 PM
Wow, I didn’t know people really believed in them but after seeing that baby smoking cigarettes, anything’s possible right LOL?!? The book “Sea Change” is quite good, it’s about a mer-man which is kinda unique.
But I really see the movie “Mermaids” sometime, it was such a great and underrated drama which was set in the 1960′s (though it really didn’t have that much to do with real mermaids, it was just kind of a metaphor for the constant change and metamorphosis in their lives and for the accident that happens later in the movie I think.) The singer Cher played a hot cougar-ish type single mother who keeps moving her family from town to town and Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci played her daughters. Very quirky and well acted like this movie with Colin seems to be!
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November 3, 2010 at 1:41 PM
i always look for a good movie review first before watching new movies .
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December 2, 2010 at 1:13 PM
i can see a lot of movie reviews on the internet and i usually buy dvd movies with great reviews :*:
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