Four Letters of Love

We hadn't heard of the film before we went to see it on a Monday night in summer, but the cast made it look promising.

Right up to the last 15 minutes this was a slow, dull, grim 5/10 watch and only getting 5 stars for the scenery and cast.

Helena Bonham Carter possibly masters an Irish accent better than Pierce Brosnan (who IS Irish, but been a long time away!), but both made a good job of their characters. The cinematography of the stunning Irish coastline is absolutely captivating.

Then suddenly, in the last 15 minutes at the end, it became a great film! No spoilers - but would I watch it again? Nope!

My Review - Four Letters of Love In Cinemas now My Rating. 10/10

As the song says "Anyone Who Had a Heart ." shouldn't miss Four Letters of Love .

I don't know if it's my Irish ancestry or my partner's but both of us were smitten by this Celtic romantic magical gem of a story.

It's been a while since we were inspired to see a movie at the cinema as pickings have been lean lately.

However the cast list and the location somehow convinced me to take a chance on a movie I hadn't heard of till a friend recommended it .

Thanks goodness I don't take much notice of publicity blurbs or reviewers because I've learnt that I'm the best critical judge of what I like and what I don't .

I've found more times than I care to remember that popularity at the box office often has nothing to do with craft or superb movie making, a small independent movie often wins me over more than a box office titan.

This is a beautifully filmed movie written by Niall Williams and the first of his books to be turned into a film, and Four Letters of Love is also his first screenplay.

Set in the west of Ireland, it is a story of love, faith and destiny centred around two troubled young people, Nicholas Coughlan and Isabel Gore, and their families.

Niall Williams was quoted as saying "I think the geography of it was important," "I was very protective of that and happy that we could shoot it in Ireland and Northern Ireland." Four Letters of Love" was filmed in Counties Donegal and Antrim in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

I'm not going to give much of the plot away because the story deserves to be viewed like a great painting and listened to like a great poem but I will concentrate on the wonderful ensemble cast with a brief description of each character.

I was so impressed with Pierce Brosnan who plays William Coughlan a man who after a life of clerical drudgery decides that his destiny is to paint so he leaves his wife and son and goes West to find his muse and destiny.

His son Nicholas a poet and author is so sensitively played by Fionn O'Shea who reminds me of a very young Ben Wishaw .

Nicholas secretly follows his father on his journey and has a fleetingly brief encounter on a bus with a beautiful young girl named Isabel Gore played with luminous charm and wit by Irish actress Ann Skelly.

Isabel's devoted parents Margaret and Muirus Gore are played by the sublime Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne both give such warm and sincere performances. Their two children Isabel and son Sean played by Dónal Finn form the circle of love in this movie Isabel leaves home to be educated by nuns in a convent and soon realises she must pursue her free spirit .

She escapes the austere authority of the nuns aided by Peader OLuing a young man with a car played by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo but is life with this charismatic guitar playing singer Isabel's destiny ?

I couldn't find fault with Four Letters of Love I found every character so adorable and every plot turn was filled with Celtic charm and a little bit of Irish blarney in fact I place this Irish classic alongside The Banshees of Inisherin.

Top marks also to Director Polly Steele who with obvious guidance from the author Niall Williams has recreated his novel to the screen.

The most amazing scenery makes me want to go and visit Ireland! A power cast and floods of emotion brings a movie that in the beginning felt lost. It comes together in an unexpected way. A constant journey where you are at times wanting to scream and hard to watch but the ending can be described as powerful! A masterpiece! Well done.

I first read this book when it was published and found myself returning to it time and again.

While the film can certainly be appreciated without prior knowledge of the book, experiencing the two together creates a moving parallel-much like the intertwining lives portrayed in the story itself.

The adaptation avoids unnecessary detail, instead capturing the essence of the narrative with elegance and clarity.

With its breathtaking cinematography and deeply resonant emotions, this film stands out not only as one of the finest of the year, but arguably of a lifetime.

A must see for the highly sensitive!

Polly Steele's "Four Letters of Love" is a beautifully rendered and deeply emotional film that succeeds in capturing the complexities of love and longing. The movie shines with its stunning cinematography, painting a picturesque backdrop of the Irish landscape that enhances the intimate and soulful journey of its characters. The performances are captivating, with the lead actors sharing an undeniable chemistry that makes their connection feel authentic and heartfelt. Instead of relying on conventional romance tropes, the film crafts a mature and delicate narrative, exploring how fate, family, and art intertwine to shape human connections. The evocative music throughout the film beautifully complements the stunning natural beauty of Ireland, creating a truly immersive experience. This is a story told with a gentle hand and a profound understanding of the human heart.

Is it worth watching? Absolutely. "Four Letters of Love" is a moving and visually enchanting film that offers a refreshing take on the romance genre, making it a compelling watch for anyone seeking a thoughtful and emotionally resonant story.