My Sailor, My Love

Fortunately, similar films are still being made, such as My Sailor, My Love. Movies about human relationships never become boring or bland when they are made with good heart. Like this movie.

The main story in this film is about finding love in old age. This particular part of the film is beautifully filmed, and a fairly straight-forward story, without too many complications. But there is an additional story that weaves in, the older man's difficult and partly turbulent relationship with his own daughter. If I am going to criticize something about the film, there must be a lot of unresolved issues that I was left with regarding the father-daughter relationship. Here there is much that we do not get answers to, only that the relationship has become strained and that the daughter has her own explanations for this. Without this being explored any further in the film.

Nevertheless, this film succeeds in telling a lovely story. And I have to include it; filmed in fantastic surroundings along Ireland's coast.

James Cosmo is quite good here in one of his few leading roles. He is "Howard", a curmudgeonly old gent who lives alone - washing his smalls in the kitchen sink and caring little about anything but his crossword puzzle. His daughter "Grace" (Catherine Walker) is at the end of her tether, so she employs local lady "Annie" (Brid Brennan) to do a bit of housekeeping for him. He is not at all keen on this arrangement; indeed is so rude as to have her walk out on him, but a few of her more homely touches make him begin to realise that the pit into which his life has slid is perhaps not the only solution. Pretty quickly the two are getting on like an house on fire and gradually this causes a degree of chagrin for the daughter who sees her own role in his life beginning to become less crucial - as she, herself, is watching her own marriage disintegrate. Can they all find a way to make things work? It's a gentle romance this film, with some enjoyable and poignant performances from the three principals that highlights how people cope with grief, loneliness and opportunity. Director Klaus Härö allows the talent to deliver a considered series of portrayals that marry the happy and the sad in a plausible fashion. I can't say I loved the ending. Though perfectly realistic, it seemed a little unnecessary to me - but you be the judge. It doesn't need a cinema screen, but is well worth watching the loads of experience at character acting ooze from Brennan and Cosmo.

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.

I have been wanting to see this movie ever since it was released. I finally rented it on Amazon Prime. Every one of the actors was brilliant. You get emotionally invested right from the beginning. It really was believable and I'm sure lots of people could relate to this story. I know I could. It's great to see a movie which isn't totally "Hollywood " if you get what I mean. Plus you get to see the beautiful scenery of Ireland. I really can't find any fault with this film. I'm not sure what else I can add, however, it seems that you now have to have a minimum amount of words? Anyway, I highly recommend this movie.

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.