Winter's End (2005) User Reviews

good independent production

[microx96002 · 5/10 · 24 March 2008]

Nice to see an independent film set in countryside I know. Anyway, it is a pretty good independent production, with as good performances as I've seen in any indie. For a movie set in rural Ireland, the accents weren't too hard to understand. If I had a fault with the film, it would be in the pacing. It needed a little faster pace. Also, the music, it was OK, got a little annoying after a while. Other than that, I was very happy with the DVD I purchased thru www.Indieflix.com, very good picture and sound. If you like suspense, and something a little different, then go check this one out, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

a solid effort, but not for everyone

[Billybob-Shatner · 5/10 · 7 January 2006]

I really have to give the filmmakers behind Winter's End kudos for making such a professional piece of movie-making on such a modest budget. From the acting to the photography to the score, the product is miles beyond the average movie of it's budget. However after a compelling introduction, I found my interest in the storyline all but disappearing. For me, the story simply was not interesting or engaging enough to hold me. It's fairly low key and uneventful, which would be more than all right with me if the characters were more vivid. Yes, they sure did talk a lot, but I didn't find them interesting. As is, it's a drama lacking strong drama, and a suspense film lacking strong suspense. The antagonist of the story, while well performed, came off a bit cartoony, nor did I find his motives compelling. I don't have a short attention span, and I have nothing against slower characters based movies, but I found the movie quite difficult to get through.

Unfortunately after a very dry first hour, the last act degenerates into a standard escape sequence complete with a few over the top musical stings. That being said, there is much to applaud about the film. The director should be happy with the accomplishment. And whereas I wouldn't recommend it to a mainstream audience member, there very well may be people in the film festival crowd who could really take to it.

Winding and gripping thriller

[trevorsomers71 · 13 January 2007]

From the opening shot there's a sense of expectancy in this film by Patrick Kenny.The bleak setting of an solitary farmhouse silhouetted against a cold sky conveys the loneliness and isolation of the place,and indeed of those living within it.It conjured up images of JB Keanes theatre and the sometimes wretched lives of the forgotten souls in deepest rural Ireland. Henry is a desperate man,teetering on the edge of sanity,alone and angry.When a young outsider unwittingly parks his car on Henry's land he finds himself very quickly hurled in to Henry's warped parallel universe. Henry is well played by Michael Crowley,who's character walks a solitary path on the edges of insanity. The plot twists and turns well to keep any viewer guessing. The rural setting is perfect and holds us hostage in Henry's dangerous kingdom, add to this an incredible,award winning soundtrack to take the audience on an uncomfortable,dark journey. A strong and clever story,well written,well cast all round and thoughtfully directed. Patrick Kenny can be very pleased indeed with this work

Ridiculous plot, poorly made

[RickyFlambo · 1/10 · 7 February 2021]

Why the high reviews for this film? This film is almost impossible to watch. It is gruesome, ridiculous, violent, and ignorant. It is also very poorly made with no cinematic qualities of interest - not acting, cinematography, editing, well, or anything worthy at all! What in the world are people finding of value here? It is not entertaining, not interesting, borderline laughable, with no message or point of view. How can viewers give it high ratings? Are the ratings all from people with money interest in the movie?

Not bad

[EhbC · 8/10 · 17 December 2006]

Rural Ireland is a scary place if the makers of this film are to be believed. It might make city dwellers think twice about getting help from seemingly friendly farmers.

This isn't a bad film at all. It may not have the flashy explosions and glossy production values of a Hollywood blockbuster or star names but it's a good yarn.

The cast is good, the standout being Michael Crowley as Henry the farmer. I'm not so sure about leading man Adam Goodwin, he's a bit wooden. Maybe that's why he ended up on Fair City afterwards.

The filmmakers have done well with what were clearly limited resources. The film's generally well paced, though at times somewhat overlong. I thought the chase scene at the end went on too long and was difficult to follow at times. My other quibble is with the character of Henry's mentally disabled brother. There was something inconsistent about him that didn't ring true.

These are minor quibbles. If you're looking for a good Irish film, rent this

brilliant film - Winner "Best Picture" 2005 Hollywood dv Film Festival

[richard_wilbur · 10/10 · 16 December 2005]

Winner "Best Picture" 2005 Hollywood dv Film Festival - My sixteen year old son Travis, a junior at Booker VPA film school, Sarasota, FL, and I flew into Hollywood for the 2005 DV Film festival taking place at Raleigh Studio's across the street from Paramount. Travis had two films accepted to the Festival this year so we sat through as many of the films as our butts could tolerate the entire week. Winter's End was absolutely brilliant! The writing, acting, cinematography, music, sound effects, editing and directing were outstanding. The story unfolds on the most beautiful country side farm land and holds your attention from beginning to end. I had a chance to meet Patrick and Carol Kenny at the awards party and would like to say they are the nicest most genuine people you could ever meet. Thank you Patrick for spending time with Travis and "farming the film experience" in an imaginative sixteen year old.

Best Wishes to you. Regards rich

Filled with suspense and mystery - keeps you hanging onto your seat until the very end

[susangalligan · 10/10 · 22 September 2005]

The plot, production, direction and acting in Winters End are all top class. This translates into a really good film experience where you are sucked in and kept wondering until the last moments how it will all end up. The plot is really very interesting and plausible in a country that values the land and heritage more than anything else. Passions that have certainly driven many a man or woman to insanity and occasionally even murder. Although the film is mainly shot at one location - the acting is so powerful that the location only becomes a backdrop to the action rather than a distraction. The actors are very well cast and Henry is particular worth a mention as the psycho brother who has really lost the plot in the meaning of life. Looking forward to the next production from the team!

Stylish Low Budget Thriller

[moviethrillerbuff · 9/10 · 30 October 2005]

Winter's End is a Stylish Low Budget Thriller which I saw at this year's Galway Film Fleadh. It is a cross between " Misery " and " The Field ". Winter's End tells the story of Amy Rose live on a farm with her two brothers Henry and Sean and we follow Amy's progress from abuse and oppression at the hands of her older brother Henry, to independence and freedom. The acting, cinematography, music editing and directing are all of a very high standard. It has been recently nominated for two Irish Film and Television Awards (www.ifta.ie) in Best Actress for Jillian Bradbury and Best Music for Gregory Magee in a Feature Film. Definitely worth a viewing.

fabulous lighting and pure film-making

[annemackesey · 10/10 · 9 June 2006]

I loved this film. Mysteries are my favorite venue; I have all the English ones; Morse, Frost, Poirot, PDJames, Christie, Midsomer Murders, Alleyn, etc. and all of the Irish movies I can find. I loved the lighting in this film, the quiet yet intense suspense, and the purity of the filming which concentrates solely upon the characters and the situation. There are no gimmicks, flashbacks, or any device which detracts from the story. The intensity builds based upon the strong acting of the deranged brother and his emotionally blackmailed sister. As in the film "The Field", his monomaniacal, yet historically understandable, love of his land leads to the conclusion.