Le cheval venu de la mer

This is a movie that takes you into a world of children's fantasy, the intense love that bonds a family, and masterful cinematography, scripting and performance. What else could any moviegoer ask for? It's the kind of film every filmmaker desires to be a part of. Although I found the film at my local Blockbuster video store tucked away on the Children's shelf, this is anything but a sappy family film that so often inhabit the world of the simplistic often dopey family category. The two boys in the film are terrific and Gabriel Byrne is excellent as the disconnected father and widower. And yes, beautiful scenery is often just that but here the magnificent landscape is as much a part of the story as the plot line. Treat yourself!

A very entertaining and interesting film on several levels.

Educational: about the life of the Tinkers or Travelers and the prejudice against them.

Entertaining: the little boys are lovable and delightful.

Mythical: where did the wonderful white horse come from and go?

Beautiful: country and seaside scenery and photography contrasted with crowded city scenes.

Romantic: he lost a wife he loved and left the wandering life, but returns to it when a lovely woman appears.

This film has everything! One of my All-Time Favorite movies!

This excellent movie deals with issues of identity, death and family. It is also a very funny and gentle fantasy (set in contemporary times) about two Irish boys and their magical horse.

This may sound silly to many. I wouldn't even fault anyone for having passed on it during its initial theatrical release or for passing it by in the video store. The marketing of this movie made it seem like a wacky, silly movie about kids getting into and out of several situations with their horse. The only reason I even saw it was faith in the cast and crew. I feel I was well rewarded.

The performances are exceptional. The two boys behave in a completely natural way without resorting to traditional "cutesy" mannerisms and expressions (which isn't to say the movie does not have its cute moments. ..it's just that they don't seem forced when they happen). Gabriel Byrne's performance is absolutely beautiful. Even though the movie is about the kids and the horse (at first glance) it really is about him and his character's denial of what he really is and how he is set right again.

The cinematography, direction and music are all superb. You won't be disappointed if you just give it a chance.

Irish themes often end up cloying or playing to stereotype. This movie, with its "mystical" Celtish theme and its message of Irish pluck could easily have fall into either trap.

But the kids -- and the horse -- save the day. Great actors, those boys. Great choreography with a beautiful horse. Together, these elements make the story remarkably engaging -- keep the story itself from devolving into bathos, and make it impossible for you not to suspend disbelief and root for the horse! Great directing to bring this all together.

Example of how such a fantastical story is presented with some subtlety: in one almost inconsequential shot, the two boys are walking down a crowded Dublin sidewalk, leading the horse. A couple of kids pass them, and throw unprovoked verbal abuse at the boys, disparaging them for being travellers. The older boy quickly spits back a retort or two in kind and then returns seamlessly to his ongoing conversation with his brother -- but doesn't break his stride and doesn't show any signs that the abuse has even registered with him. It is as once heart-rending (what does it say about his life so far that such an attack barely registers, it must be so common), and a testament to the boy's courage.

In that one brief scene, the movie shows the depth of character the kid will draw on throughout the movie, and you can't help but root for him! And the acting makes you feel like this is really who the boy is, not that he's an actor playing a part. (It was such a better scene than the heavy-handed scenes with the requisite bad cop.)

Ignore that stupid video cover up above, it does not in any way do this film justice, and why they decided to sell it as a kids adventure, when it is much more, I will never know. The film is a simple tale, yet its the supernatural undertones, and reference to Irish myth which adds a whole different dimension to the film, raising it above most films of this sort. Its funny and poignant, and by the time the climax is reached, you have been sucked in and are willing the lads along, to its fantastically touching, thought provoking ending. The acting is superb, music perfectly apt, visuals hauntingly bleak. Its a contemporary fairy tale, strangely reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands, due to the pure simplicity of its plot. Watch this film, and get carried along on the journey, of course, ignoring that stupid poster.