Goldfish Memory

This 'little' Irish film takes its title from the reported shortness of a goldfish's memory, which supposedly lasts only three seconds - enough time for it to swim around its bowl, and then its memory starts over again. "Goldfish Memory" could be described as a less pretentious and more natural "Love Actually": an ensemble cast forms a mosaic of love and sex in Dublin. Writer/director Elizabeth Gill discusses gay, lesbian and straight relationships with humor and tenderness, never being heavy-handed or moralistic. She clearly is not concerned about being too deep or serious, but still manages to create some smart dialogue - particularly, a touching scene between Angie (Flora Montgomery), a lesbian reporter, and her best friend Red (Keith McErlean), at the beginning. Damien Rice (who'd become famous for the "Closer" soundtrack one year later - "Cold Water", by the way, was used in this movie first) and Lisa Hannigan singing Brazilian bossas both in English and Portuguese (with a very cute accent) in the soundtrack is a delightful surprise. A great Irish feel good movie. 8.5/10.

Love, the eternal mystery of Humanity. It's been used as the basis of a billion stories: comedies, dramas, horror movies... Maybe love is THE SUBJECT everything's about. Now Liz Gill tries to do her bit filming this story of crossed lives, heterosexuals that become homosexuals, lesbians who wants to have babies, the fear to commitment (or the need of a commitment).

"Goldfish Memory" is a funny movie, tender and kind. Nothing too deep, and it's not pretentious at all either. There are some stereotypes, but that's normal. I guess Miss Gill achieved what she set out: to make us smile watching a group of men and women chasing love just like donkeys chase the carrots.

*My rate: 7/10

Although this movie came recommended by some friends (and because of that it was a blind purchase), I must say I didn't get very excited from it. Yes, the movie is nicely shot, contains a few nice scenes, but overall I found it cheesy, tacky, and very predictable! Come to think of it.. the people who recommended it are the same who keep trying to convince me to go to Dublin, so I guess it's a nice movie for people who had a nice time in Dublin (another person here also commented on how nice Dublin looks in the movie).

So... although I was recommended to go see this movie, I advise people to see it only if they like Dublin and/or typical romcom's. Even my girlfriend (who is quite a romcom-addict) didn't like it too much. The more experienced/serious movie-addict will most likely be disappointed.

I give it 6/10, because it wasn't bad in an annoying way ;-).

I watched this movie about a year ago, and it was totally unexpected movie (in the good sense!). I didn't know what the film was about, and I wasn't sure what to expect about this film, probably I never had the DVD cover on my hands, or had the change to see the film release posters; and nobody recommended it . It deals with unusual facades of the most human demand: LOVE. The film is actually similar to "love actually", although this movie doesn't lose its Irishness. The film is full of interesting dialogs and lovely shots. The film normalizes non-heterosexual relationships, and problematize the condition of humans as love needed. This movie separates the characters from the sexual lives, to assume their social lives. It is an interesting approach!!

It is a funny, beautiful and sensible portray of post-modern relationships, full of amnesia, intensity, sophistication, and need of instantaneousness!!!

This is an outstanding film, in every detail. It starts off leaving the viewer a little mixed up, with a mixing of different characters, but soon settles down as all the main actors start to come to life. By the end of the film all the main characters finally make decisions about important matters that affects the rest of their lives.

Ken Byrne makes his debut as a cinematographer, and should win "Rookie of the Year" honors, if there was such an award. His shots and locations, both inside and outside, are the best I have ever seen. I am a photographer, with 40 years experience, and have seen thousands of movies, but this one takes the cake.

Jean Butler, who we all remember from her leading role in Riverdance, makes her first appearance as just an actress, and does NOT dance at all. A wonderful film that only played in Ireland, but deserves a MUCH larger audience. Rent this movie, if you can!