Film Reviews

Ondine

• Rating:
• Director: Neil Jordan
• Starring: Colin Farrell
• Details: US/Ireland/104mins (12A)

Initially conceived by Jordan when another project was put on hiatus because of the writers' strike in Hollywood, it seems strange that two of our most popular exports had only worked together in a producer/star capacity in Intermission before this. Despite its hasty inception, Ondine doesn't feel rushed, as Jordan takes his time introducing us to these characters. But the almost whimsical tone we're given can't last forever, and Ondine invariably loses its way as the lightly tied knots of the plot become unravelled.
Colin Farrell nails the Cork accent with admirable restraint, as his subtle performance continues his fine work in some offbeat choices. He seems to have left the blockbusters behind, instead concentrating on more intimate, character driven fare. Jordan's film may not quite be on par with its leading man's sombre performance, but it's still a beautiful looking production, with stellar supporting performances to boot.
Farrell is Syraceuse, a single father in a small town with no secrets. Working as a fisherman, he finds a beautiful woman in his net one day, and sensing she's in trouble, or perhaps wanting to believe that she's a mythical sea creature, he gives her shelter in his mother's old house outside of his town. He then tells his terminally ill young daughter stories of a mermaid found by a fisherman in his nets, and recounts the fledging romance of the woman he has found, as if it were a fairytale.
The tone here was always going to be extremely difficult to nail, but to Jordan's credit, for two thirds he does just that. The film only really suffers when its narrative needs to be expanded upon and loose ends tied up. It's not that he wrote himself into a corner, more that the real and fairytale world can only be blended for so long before a resolution must be found.
Alison Barry is another natural discovered by Jordan, while a stunning Alicja Bachleda has genuine presence as the woman caught in Farrell's net. Probably best suited to an early evening viewing, this will delight few, but should thoroughly engage most for the majority of its running time.

Review by Mike Sheridan