Moondance

Dagmar Hirtz's "Moondance" isn't the refreshing film about the tests of brotherhood that it should have been. It has the innocent tone of children's literature, but this becomes a problem when serious questions arise.

The story follows brothers Dominic and Patrick. There is a considerable age difference between them. Their parents are vacant, and Dominic takes care of his younger brother- but makes sure they always have a good time in the process. There are amusing scenes following their adventures (don't miss the living-room shootout), and I loved that the perpetual cycle of pleasure rebelliously boxes out education and order.

Eventually, Patrick is forced to be tutored by a beautiful young woman named Anya. The two brothers fall in love with her for their own reasons, and their strong bond becomes frail as she learns she can only love Dominic.

Heavier subject matter is brought up with her arrival, and the problems arise in this section of the film. It is hard to be compelled by the dilemmas thrown at the boys when the atmosphere in the film is so kid-friendly. Also, there is a very gratuitous sex scene that throws "Moondance"s innocent feel completely off, tarnishing the film completely.

There is of course the Van Morrison soundtrack that many will be attracted to. Listen to his CDs, or download his music, but do not rent "Moondance"!

The film features Marianne Faithfull in the role of a mother, and the film's title is the same as one of my favourite Van Morrison albums, and the songs used in the film are also by Van Morrison. Moreover, this film is set in Ireland.

So, how has it escaped my radar for 30 years? There are so many streaming services, so many purchase/rental options, so why are films like this nowhere to be found?

The film is an adaptation of Francis Stuart's 1936 novel The White Hare, and the director is, hold on tight... Dagmar Hirtz. That is, a German. How can a German portray Ireland and the Irish so beautifully?

Where are the good filmmakers? Why can't we watch films like this anymore?

Why is Ireland so beautiful... despite all the pain it has experienced in the past?

Let's all listen to Van Morrison together.

This is a powerful and moving story which encaptulates everything that is good in movies. Good acting, beautiful scenery,sensational music, and a moving story which takes the viewer on a journey through the full gamut of emotions and wrenches at the very heart-strings. The close relationship between two fun-loving brothers comes under threat when a beautiful, sensitive girl arrives on the scene. As the younger brother comes of age, the inevitable jealousy, confusion, rivalry and lust place their brotherly love in jeopardy. The only certainty is that nothing can ever be the same again. With a strong touch of Irish good humour and an animal story thrown in for good measure, I, unhesitatingly, give this movie 10 out of 10.

The Aachen, Germany native, Dagmar Hirtz, does a fine turn in his directorship of this truly Irish tale of strong filial bond and its accompanying trials, tribulations and joys. Ruaidhri Conroy and Ian Shaw play the two lads in question (Dominic and Patrick) who have been abandoned by their mom and must fend for themselves in a poor region of western Ireland. Due in no small part to the parental absence, the sibs develop this strong bond. But, alas, enter the femme fatale, Anya (Julia Brendler), who is initially Patrick's (the older boy) tutor. She is somewhere between the ages of the brothers which makes her a love target for both lads. At first, she falls in love with Patrick, much to Dominic's dismay. But mom, well played by Marianne Faithful, comes home for a bit, and adds more fuel to the emotional fire. The trio (plus the dog!) then goes to Dublin, without mom, to try to start a new life. Things get dicey in Dublin and Anya's interest starts to shift to Dominic, who loves her too, but is averse to stepping on older bro's toes.

But that's it for a mini plot synopsis: I'll let other reviewers do their own spoiling. What I must emphasize is how well acted, well written and how moving this story was, in no small part augmented by the poignant insertions of the Van Morrison title song, adapted to a liltingly Irish 6/8 time signature. Already a tender and moving film sans the sound track, the strains of that song emphatically augment the accompanying drama. Add to that a realistic, bittersweet, yet optimistic finale and you have the makings of a movie to warm your heart.

This is truly a great movie. The not so original idea of two brothers falling in love with the same woman and a young boy's first encounter with the (delicious) complications of love and sex are very brightly shown in "Moondance". Add to this a very intense - but not aggressively explicit - sensual atmosphere that reaches its climax in the scene Dominic and Anya play with, er..., some blue ink (definitely one of the sexiest scenes I've ever seen!) and great Van Morrison music and you've got a movie that is really a wonderful experience. So my suggestion is: get a bottle of good wine, find good company and enjoy this movie!