'Ondine' a beautiful and lyrical story

Director: Neil Jordan

Cast: Colin Farrell, Tony Curran, Alison Barry, Oligja Bacheda, Stephen Rea

Farrell, turning away as he is from the lurid, hell-raising headlines of recent years, is producing some quite excellent performances, none better than in this charming fantasy (or might it be fact?) set in Ireland.

He plays recovering alcoholic, fisherman father, Syracuese, to a seriously ill young daughter, Annie (Barry). One day while out fishing he nets the beautiful and mysterious Ondine (Bacheda) and brings her ashore, allowing her to use his mother’s cottage.

Who, or what, is she … as a romance develops between father and stranger he and his daughter come to think of her a sea spirit, a mermaid who brings them undreamed-of luck and good fortune.

In all respects this is a beautiful and lyrical story, the sort of film Jordan does to perfection, and matching Farrell’s top-notch performance is that of young Barry.

You can throw in the well-judged use of the Irish land- and seascape – like a supportive football crowd, the 12th man – to get a film you will want to see and relish.

Star Rating: 5/5