Behind the Waterfall

Ok so I was bored and I watched it all the way through.

This film is mild, inoffensive and lacklustre. The story is so sugary it rots your teeth on the opening titles. A tail of two 'traumatised' children learning about 'God' the fairy story way which frankly left me rather traumatised. It uses the Irish 'blarney' in such a stereotypical way one hopes no true Irish ever see it. Aimed at children who frankly would switch off after the first attempt at an 'OIRISH' accent. All in all why do they pump these out.

This movie is one of my personal favorites. It leaves you filled with a desire to dream and imagine. I recommend this movie to children-and adults, especially if you're overwhelmed by reality. A charming movie full of family values. I watched it when I was little and I still do now as I'm growing up. The movie tells about seven-year-old boy named Tommy and his older sister, Becky who visit their Aunt and cousin, who believe everything can be explained scientifically. Tommy and his cousin, Alex meet an old shoemaker, Mr.Conners. With his help the children learn to believe and use their imaginations while looking for the "Lost Faden." The movie produces an emotion that is almost impossible to describe, you just have to believe there's something else there. Just like Mr.Conners taught Alex and Tommy, you have to believe what you can't always see.

We watched Behind the Waterfall in honor of Saint Patrick's Day and were charmed by the hint of Irish magic and folklore. Gary Burghoff plays a strong lead as a kind and older gentleman who may very well be a leprechaun. He spends his summer helping a few children learn how to be children by believing in possibilities and enjoying the world around them. Tommy and his sister Becky are visiting their aunt after the recent death of their father when they meet Mr. Connors. They need his kindness and hope. Their young cousin, Alex needs Mr. Connors to fill the void of a childhood lacking in imagination. I found the film to be a refreshing, old-fashioned, genuinely family-oriented film in the tradition of the Sunday night Wonderful World of Disney films that I grew up with.

My mom used to purchase Feature Films for Families movies for me when I was a child and this one stands out among the finer. You have to approach the story from a child's point of view. As a child, you are experiencing everything for the very first time and it is generally a completely innocent experience.

The film begins with the revelation that Tommy and Becky's father has passed away and they are on their way to visit their Aunt. There is an air of fantasy from the first moments on. Tommy and his ever skeptical cousin, Alex, decide to capture Mr. Connors for their own reasons. Alex wishes to prove to Tommy that leprechauns aren't real and Tommy seeks to obtain the one wish that accompanies capturing a leprechaun - he plans to wish for his father to come back. Mr. Connors denies being a leprechaun but insinuates that there is a way for Tommy's wish to be granted, so long as the children help him find the Fairy King's lost Fayden. The journey they begin is much more meaningful than anyone would have guessed.

This is an incredibly comforting, moving movie. I can see where some adults might find it a little bit slow-paced or uninteresting but, speaking as someone who passionately loved this movie as a child, I think it helps to try and remember what you were like as a child and then watch through those eyes.

This is a marvelous film from Feature Films For Families :), the wholesome quality of the characters makes you feel refreshed the moment the movie begins. As Tommy, his sister, and the other characters discover God through learning about fairies, and other "Irish Blarney" you travel through their adventures with them. I definitely recommend watching this. :)