The Green Sea

Such a deep story, I totally love it The acting is so good too Everything was perfect about it and Katharine's acting was perfect as usual.

When I came across this film I was intrigued. An independent Irish film starring the awesome Katherine Isabelle with a trailer that made it look like a mind-bending tale of questionable realities. The type of film I really gravitate towards. I was even more intrigued when I saw that it was directed by an Irish aristocrat.

Unfortunately it doesn't work.

The trailer had prepared me for a film where the physical existence of "The Kid" was up for debate. The fact she doesn't have a name and she's a character in what Katherine Isabelle is writing adds to that idea. It's the same trope we've seen for decades in many different types of film, most notably in Fight Club. Plunkett then procedes to shoot the film as if that is going to be the truth. The only person who talks to or sees "The Kid" is Isabelle, persistant hints at the traumatic back story of Isabelle, the fact she's almost always drunk. A problematic character dealing with her issues in a very unhealthy way.

It turns out that's not what we should have been focusing on. The quirks of "The Kid" are the more important factors. The strange way she reacts to coffee is notable, but given the directions the film eventually goes in, there should have been more. If we are going to have such a radical change of direction and genre then in my opinion it should have been built up to. Have more hints that she's 'off' and we will follow you down the strange (and mildly confusing) paths the film goes into by the end. As it is the revelations come out of nowhere and are under-explored.

There are also very basic things that the 21st Baron Dunsany could have corrected. We've seen the scenario where a problematic character has their car graffitied, but when it's black paint on a black jeep, you can't actually read it. Having title cards that are red text on a black background also turns out to be very hard to read on a tablet screen (which lets face it is how this movie is mostly going to be seen).

Randal Plunkett had an idea. I'm not entirely sure what that idea was, because a little more exposition would have been helpful. He got that idea made with an excellent cult actress and turned it into a mediocre film. Shame. I think this had potential.

Lord Dunsany, Randal Plunkett has created a film that is rich and deep in meaning with many layers to immerse oneself in, a world full of characters both weird wonderful dark & light in a gorgeous bleak Irish landscape of wind, rain, hopes, dreams & fantasy he skilfully weaves the story

with outstanding performances from all of the cast but especially by its leads the always excellent Katharine Isabelle "Simone" in a career best performance & Ireland's brightest star Hazel Doupe as "The KId" their chemistry is electric

If you want to be transported uplifted taken on an original journey of mystery and fantasy dont miss this outstanding piece of cinematic art.

Captures the atmosphere of the rather bleak coast of Ireland setting the scene for a thoughtful unfolding exploration of grief via a fairly common MacGuffin which is guessable early on but that doesn't distract too much (otherwise maybe a 10) - but the two leads carry it off very well with sympathy and good chemistry between them. Dramatic sequences and flashbacks are not over the top, bloody but not gory. The metaphorical motif is good and is carried through well. A very good sound track reinforces the spooky aspects, again without being over the top. All in all much better than many movies in a similar vein.

I wasn't expecting this to be as good as it was. I am not a big fan of films on Prime or Netflix and so settled down to be mildly entertained. I had never seen a film by Randal P before apart from a Zombie movie on Youtube. Later I discovered this is his first feature film and that's why. I have to say I thought the cinematography in the film was exquisite. I enjoyed the pace and the characters and was gripped throughout. Would highly recommend. Well done to Randal on his 1st film and looking forward to the next one.