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.
Cinematography
Cork coastline so gorgeous it hurts.
Acting
Colin Farrell's most tender, least chaotic performance.
Score
Kjartan Sveinsson's Sigur Rós frontman ethereal magic.
Director
Neil Jordan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Kjartan Sveinsson composed the score between Sigur Rós albums; the band's ethereal sound basically IS the film's emotional language.
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