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FILM DETAILS

Certificate TBC

Cast Colin Farrell Alicja Bachleda Stephen Rea Tony Curran Tom Archdeacon.

Directors Neil Jordan.

Screenwriters

Running Time 111 minutes

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Ondine
Splash + Colin Farrell = WIN

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Plot
A fisherman (Colin Farrell) finds a semi-naked stranger (Alicja Bachleda) in his net. Is she an immigrant, or is she something more magical?

Review
Neil Jordan spins a magical yarn for grown-ups, as trawlerman Syraceuse (Colin Farrell) fishes a semi-naked stranger (Alicja Bachleda) out of his net. Has he rescued a drowning immigrant? Or is she, as his daughter suspects, a selkie — a mythical sea creature able to assume human form?

Leagues away from the Hollywood gloss of Splash, Ondine is funny, whimsical and as warming as a big bowl of Irish stew. Farrell’s natural accent and roguish charm make for a winning performance, while Polish actress Bachleda is the most beautiful, beguiling newcomer since Nastassja Kinski — and a much better actress. She’s Farrell’s real-life squeeze, but even he couldn’t love her as much as Jordan’s camera.

Verdict
Funny, whimsical and as warming as a big bowl of Irish stew


Reviewed by David Hughes

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Your Reviews

Average user rating for Ondine

Underrated

Neil Jordan's best film for ages. Farrell and the rest of the cast are brilliant while the story flirts with darkness and light, blending fairytale with cold reality. Highly recommended. ... More

Posted by Caster at 14:10, 11 September 2010 | Report This Post

Underrated

Neil Jordan's best film for ages. Farrell and the rest of the cast are brilliant while the story flirts with darkness and light, blending fairytale with cold reality. Highly recommended. ... More

Posted by Caster at 14:10, 11 September 2010 | Report This Post

ondine

almost fell asleep to this one- it's very slow moving and the terrible cork accents grate on your nerves after a while ... More

Posted by moviemaniac2 at 14:17, 14 March 2010 | Report This Post

RE: A little gem

briefly thought about going to see Chloe at the split second I bought the ticket for me and my better half but enjoyed it. Reminiscent of a ballykissangel episode with Dervlan (?) in it though. Nice is she/isn't she about the origin of Ondine until the end. ... More

Posted by piginapoke at 22:11, 10 March 2010 | Report This Post

A little gem

Really enjoyed this fantastical if sometimes slightly meandering fairy tale! Farrell is excellent as is newcomer Bachleda really does light up the screen but my fave part of the movie is the wonderful soundtrack, equal parts Icelandic and Irish magic! ... More

Posted by s02bf16c at 23:46, 06 March 2010 | Report This Post

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