Ondine (2009)

An Irish fisherman discovers a woman in his fishing net whom his precocious daughter believes to be a selkie.

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 Woman
Gemma Reeves	...	Draper's Shop Tracy
Stephen Rea	...	Priest
Norma Sheahan	...	Librarian
Emil Hostina	...	Vladic
Conor Power	...	Eoin
Olwyn Hanley	...	Katie
Brendan McCormack	...	Fishery Board George
Mark Doherty	...	Fishery Board Man II

Storyline

On the coast of Cork, Syracuse is a divorced fisherman who has stopped drinking. His precocious daughter Annie has failing kidneys. One day, he finds a nearly-drowned young woman in his net; she 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 is a selkie, a seal that turns human while on land. Syracuse is afraid to hope again.

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Plot Keywords:

celtic mythology | character name as title | reference to sherlock holmes | child uses a wheelchair | child in jeopardy | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

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

Syracuse sets an empty vodka bottle at his feet while on the island with the lighthouse. When he walks away from Ondine the bottle is still there. However, after a cut to show Syracuse starting up the boat and back to Ondine hearing the boat and jumping up, the bottle is nowhere to be seen. Ondine could have thrown it away in between, but there's no sign that she moved at all.

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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

Incrustations
Written by Lars Graugaard
Performed by Sofia Asunción Claro
Published by Pathos / Greenwald & Willis S.C.P. - A. Lykke (KODA)
Courtesy of Pathos Special Products

User Reviews

Thoughtful and Satisfying

I respond well to movies with honesty and heart, and Ondine has plenty of both. Set in an Irish fishing town, you can also feel the love and respect of the filmmaker for the rugged and beautiful setting. The performances are excellent, with especially good work by the the young Alison Barry playing the part of Colin Farrell's daughter, who suffers from kidney failure and must undergo regular dialysis (reminded me of the early work of Dakota Fanning).

The film's "feel" is a bit darker than I expected, making the injections of wry Irish humor in Colin's confessions to the priest (played by Stephen Rea) even more enjoyable. The script keeps you wondering until very near the end, "Is this really a modern fairy tale, or is there a more earthly explanation?" The soundtrack is appropriately plaintive, with songs by Lisa Hannigan and others. I definitely plan to buy the soundtrack. Because this film is low-key and thoughtful, it probably will not receive the attention from audiences it deserves. But serious moviegoers should take the time to watch, enjoy and appreciate.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Ireland USA

Language:

English Romanian French

Release Date:

5 March 2010 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Ondine

Filming Locations:

Bere Island, Beara, County Cork, Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,497, 6 June 2010

Gross USA:

$550,472

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,787,413

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wayfare Entertainment, Screen Ireland, Octagon Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1