disappointment media
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About

THE QUIET GIRL -- Irish Drama is Emotional Viewing

2/22/2023

1 Comment

 
Review by Cole Groth
Picture
Ireland is making waves at this year’s Academy Awards. While The Banshees of Inisherin and its nine nominations will outshadow The Quiet Girl, it’s important to realize that the latter is the first ever Irish-language film to be nominated at the Oscars. While this drama, directed by Colm Bairéad in his directorial debut, doesn’t carry high stakes and is occasionally dull, it’s a powerful and emotional tale that’ll tug at your heartstrings.

The Quiet Girl (in Irish called An Cailín Ciúin) follows nine-year-old Cáit (Catherine Clinch), an appropriately quiet girl growing up with a large family in rural Ireland. Her parents, unfortunately, are neglectful and seem to forget that Cáit even exists. After her mother becomes pregnant again, they send her off to live with her distant cousin, Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley), and her husband, Seán (Andrew Bennett).
​
For the first time in Cáit’s life, she’s shown what true parental love can be like. Eibhlín is immediately warm to her, but Seán is withdrawn at first. Over time, he grows fond of her, and by the end of the film, Cáit’s bond with the two is remarkable. While this plot won’t hold the attention of viewers looking for something exciting, it’s a remarkably beautiful coming-of-age story.
Picture
This film would not work nearly as well without the tremendous work of Catherine Clinch. At 12 years old, Clinch delivers one of the strongest child performances in years as the timid lead. There’s much beauty to be found in her subdued performance, which is also supported by the brilliant work of Carrie Crowley and Andrew Bennett. This film is about familial bonds, and these three actors do a stunningly good job of seeming like a real family.

Director Colm Bairéad packs each scene with subtle details of grief, parenthood, and family-building. Subtle flashbacks and cuts reveal details that explain more of the relatively limited story of the two surrogate parents. Bairéad’s script,  adapted from Claire Keegan’s short story "Foster," does an incredible job of drawing emotion out of each interaction, and his ending will leave viewers feeling a wide array of emotions. The cinematography from Kate McCullough and the editing from John Murphy are beautiful and enhance the script immensely.

As far as this year’s Oscar nominees go, The Irish Girl isn’t nearly as in your face. That isn’t to say that it doesn’t deserve your attention, though. While it seems unlikely to win the Oscar, seeing a film like this receive a nomination is nice. It’s a powerful piece of media that highlights important issues and will undoubtedly leave a mark on many viewers. In 94 minutes, Colm Bairéad will give you a different perspective on family, and that’s worth so much more than the time it takes to watch.

The Quiet Girl releases in theaters starting February 24.

Rating: 4/5
1 Comment
Suzanne Foglesong
2/25/2023 08:36:01 pm

While, in my view, films about family dynamics are tricky. Finding the right balance between sugar and vinegar is a complex art form, and there are few examples of what normal might be. That said, I am drawn to this film., possibly because it seems
hopeful.
Accolades to Catherine Clinch, although its hard to beat Millie Bobby Brown. That Clinch portrays Cate with such sensitivity adds to the allure; performances by very young actors are compelling. I look forward to watching The Irish Girl.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Authors

    All
    Adam Donato
    Alan French
    Camden Ferrell
    Cole Groth
    Dan Skip Allen
    Jonathan Berk
    Joseph Fayed
    Josh Batchelder
    Paris Jade
    Rafael Motamayor
    Sarah Williams
    Sean Boelman
    Tatiana Miranda

disappointment media

Dedicated to unique and diverse perspectives on cinema!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About