Ondine (2009)

The story of an Irish fisherman who discovers a woman in his fishing net who he believes to be a Selke (a water nymph).

Director:

Neil Jordan

Writer:

Neil Jordan

Stars:

Colin Farrell, Alicja Bachleda, Dervla Kirwan

6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Farrell	...	Syracuse
Alicja Bachleda	...	Ondine
Dervla Kirwan	...	Maura
Alison Barry	...	Annie
Marion O'Dwyer	...	Nurse - Dialysis
Tony Curran	...	Alex
Mary O'Shea	...	Fish Co Op Worker
Gemma Reeves	...	Draper's Shop Tracy
Stephen Rea	...	Priest
Norma Sheahan	...	Librarian
Emil Hostina	...	Vladic
Conor Power	...	Eion
Olwyn Hanley	...	Katie
Brendan McCormack	...	Fishery Board George
Mark Doherty	...	Fishery Board Man II

Storyline

On the coast of Cork, Syracuse is a fisherman, on the wagon, living alone. His precocious daughter, Annie, about 10, has failing kidneys. One day, a nearly-drowned young woman comes up in his net; she speaks oddly, calls herself Ondine, and wants no one to see her. He puts her up in an isolated cottage that was his mother's. Annie discovers Ondine's presence and believes she's a selkie, a mythical seal turned human while on land. If this is a fairy tale, is there a happily ever after, or do the realities of alcohol, illness, and worse intrude, including Syracuse's inveterate bad luck? As his priest tell him, misery's easy, it's happiness you have to work at. Any hope of that?

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Plot Keywords:

fisherman | fishing net | alcohol | selkie | wedding dress | 

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Taglines:

The truth is not what you know. It's what you believe.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence, sensuality and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

Ireland USA

Language:

English Romanian French

Release Date:

5 March 2010 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Amor sin límites

Filming Locations:

Bere Island, Beara, County Cork, Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$27,497 (USA) (4 June 2010)

Gross:

$548,934 (USA) (24 September 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wayfare Entertainment, Irish Film Board, Octagon Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song played with the closing credits is Lisa Hannigan's "Braille". For some time the song was available for subscribers of Hannigans newsletter. An official release did not follow.

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Goofs

When Ondine comes up out of the water, she is soaking wet as she walks past Annie talking to her. Then suddenly, her clothing is barely damp as she continues up the stairs into the house.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Syracuse: [into radio] Anybody out there? I need a little help.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #18.63 (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Takk"
by Sigur Rós

User Reviews

More than a myth

This was a beautiful blend of the myth of the Selkie, the beauty of coastal Ireland, and life lived with loss and love. No one's problems in a small Irish village are private. Colin Farrell is Syracuse, or Circus, who is working on his life through his many difficulties under the magnifying glass of small village life. His closest confidante is his priest(Stephen Rea), whom he goes to for support, not absolution. Rea plays his role with depth, and Irish humor. When he finds Ondine, Syracuse's life gets luckier. Colin Farrell plays the role with great sensitivity to empathy, and suffering, while looking for hope and joy through the beauty and myth of his catch, Ondine. Alison Barry as the little girl Annie portrays the child who looks to stories and myth to help her through her suffering, and who clings to her own happy ending no matter what. This is a beautiful story of love, tears, and suffering. Don't miss this one. Your soul will be singing the Selkie song too.