My Sailor, My Love

This is another interesting Finn-Irish film. English dialogue. It is set on Achill island on the west of Ireland and the scenery captured by the cinematography is one of the stars. The story is a tad manipulative and predictable with a quickly malleable, reclusive curmudgeon, Howard (James Cosmo) having a housekeeper, Annie (Brid Brennan) thrust upon him. There is some dysfunction and 'history' in the family and all is not plain sailing. However, the movie is lifted by excellent acting and direction and as a family drama it is better than many around. There is some complexity and pain, leavened by the developing affection of the protagonists. Some discomfort, some uplifting and affecting moments. Definitely worth a trip to the pictures.

Filmed and set in Ireland, James Cosmo, in his 70s, is Howard, former sailor and now retired to his remote home. His wife, who suffered from depression, died years earlier. He lives alone and his 40-something daughter, a nurse, checks on him periodically. He doesn't seem to welcome her visits and his home is a total mess.

So the daughter hires help, a local lady to come in two days a week. She is played by 60-something Brid Brennan as Annie. At first Howard makes it clear that he'd rather her not come, but eventually he softens up when he realizes she is good company.

The adult daughter is played by Catherine Walker as Grace. She too is having personal issues and she and her husband don't always have time to communicate properly.

As the story develops we see that there are some deep family issues, plus some issues Howard is having that he fails to share. It is all plausible, elderly parents and their adult children can have difficulty with issues that represent a wedge. In fact I have five adult children and there are wedges.

My wife and I watched it at home, streaming on Amazon Prime. Not a happy or uplifting movie but suitably interesting. The acting and cinematography are excellent.

Highly respected Finish director Klaus Harro brings his quiet, controlled professional guidance to this introspective modern study of Familial intrigues and complexities from youth to older age. Writers Jimmy Karlson and Kirisi Vikman bring a sharp and thoughtful observation to this slice of life work. It's pleasing to find that films of this nature and depth remain being made in this era of superficial cartoon heroes and action fodder, churned out for largely uninvolved 'kids' of all ages.

Strong performances are essential for stories without CGI wizardry and non-stop action, and this cast of mature-aged players certainly keep the flow of emotions on track from first frame to last. In fact, right from the first scene (Catherine Walker in a group therapy session) you know an emotional tour de force may be on its way. All the carefully selected players are totally convincing as they bring the layers of complex relationships into the viewer's understanding. The dialog is intelligent, with the viewer needing to devote attention in following, lest you miss a vital line (having the ability to rewind is helpful) so DVD or Home Cinema set-ups can help with this.

Striking wide screen vistas of the Irish Coastline captured by Robert Nordstrom (The Disciple '13) are a joy to take in on a larger screen. Award winning Belgium born (of Italian parents) Michelino Bisceglia supplies the descriptive (classic inspired) score. Even Finbar Furey delivers an unannounced song. Lovers of Bergman studies are more inclined to run with this one, as well as O'Neil devotees. Some have disagreed with the time devoted to certain character changes, but they are in keeping when each characters back stories are fully known.

Polished viewing for discerning viewers. Younger audiences may not be as appreciative.

My Sailor, My Love is a movie that revolves around an autumnal romance intertwined with familial issues. Howard (James Cosmo) is a retired sailor and widower who resides in a seaside house. Howard's daughter, Grace (Catherine Walker), hires a mature female carer named Annie (Brid Brennan). As Howard and Annie develop a romantic relationship, Grace is gradually excluded, and the complexities that arise become the movie's central focus.

The movie starts lightheartedly but gradually transitions toward an increasingly thorny tone, depicting flawed and complex characters portrayed by a cast of senior actors. The performances by the actors are strong, and the dialogue is sharp realistic, and reveals the characters' emotions and motivations. Although some lines are overly dramatic, the story's contemplative nature and slow pace suit the movie's overall tone. The cinematography captures the beauty of the Irish setting, which adds to the movie's appeal.

If you enjoy slow-paced dramas with senior actors and are interested in exploring familial issues and romance, My Sailor, My Love is worth a watch.

My Review - My Sailor My Love In Cinemas now. My Rating. 8/10

Irish Cinema is booming at the moment I think it's because it manages to combine simple entertaining human interest stories with relatable characters that resonate with discerning audiences who are tired of violence or action hero cardboard cut out characters in movies devoid of any pathos or humour .

My Sailor My Love has the look and mood of European cinema not surprising as this movie is a combined project of Irish and Finnish and Belgium cinema .

Skilfully directed by Klaus Haro who received the Ingmar Bergman Award in 2003 and was chosen by Ingmar Bergman himself.

This is a mature age love story filmed in County Mayo on the Galway Coast with three excellent finely nuanced performances from James Cosmo who plays Howard an elderly retired sea Captain , Catherine Walker cast as Grace his complex and possessive daughter who employs Annie as a housekeeper to her gruff and unapproachable father.

Annie is delightfully played by Brid Brennan who I recall from movies like Brooklyn 2015 and Dancing at Lughnasa 1998.

The trio of characters in this story bring with them a suite of complex emotions the daughter Grace has deep unresolved issues from childhood when Howard her sea captain father went to sea leaving her with her unwell mother.

Grace now sole carer of her father at the expense of her own marriage employs Annie as housekeeper against her fathers wishes then becomes bitterly resentful when Annie usurps her role and manages what she can't do to thaw out her fathers withdrawn and austere attitude to life.

Annie is a compassionate widow and Grandmother who soon shows the rough and rude Howard when he offers her more money than Grace to stay away and not come back that she can manage very well without the abuse of another male in her life .

Set in Achill Island and County Mayo this movie is a joy to watch the score by Michelino Bisceglia is so effective and the screenplay by Jimmy Karlsson and Kirsi Vikman is excellent .

I'm so glad independent movies with great casts and relatively modest production budgets that feature great actors that are not necessarily huge box office names can still be made.