Waste of time

Powerful

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Tomás (John Bell) is a shy, stuttering orphan bullied by the other kids. He is adopted by Maire (Connie Nielsen) but her husband Alec (Aidan Quinn) is reluctant. They live in an isolated farm house on remote Corrie Island, Ireland. Alec has yet to sign the adoption papers. They find an abandoned baby seal and Tomás takes care of it.This has a nice quiet charm but it's lacking in drama. There is no tension in the story. These are perfectly nice characters. It needs a hurdle but the only hurdle exists in Alec. That's not enough unless the movie intends to make him a villain. There are slight attempts at magical realism. While they are nice, they are not big enough to be awesome. This is a nice little movie but not much more.

The film truly captures the spirit of the book which I read first. I have only one quibble ... seeing as the book is set where I come from: Lilian Beckwith lived in the village of Elgol on the Isle of Skye. John Bell is a Scottish actor from Paisley. Why on earth transpose the whole thing to Ireland? What's wrong with keeping it where it belongs? That aside, the film was beautifully acted and never descended to mere sentimentalism. Never were you made to squirm. This is a film which could be recommended to any family. It deals with the really difficult issues of life ... loss, acceptance and how unconditional love can cause a person to grow into who they can truly be inside. Also how unconditional love can heal.

There are people in this world with what could be called "hearts of gold". One such person is Mary O'Donnell, the attractive woman who is unable to have children. Adoption is her way of sharing her love with the child she could not have. When she visits the orphanage, Mary falls in love with Tomas, a young boy with an unhappy look in his face.The arrival in Corrie is not exactly what Mary was expecting. Her husband, Alec, does not know how to deal with the boy. Mary shows incredible patience with Tomas, as she tries to acquaint him with the new home. She takes him to the beach where she teaches the boy how to call the seals that populate the waters nearby. Mary promises that by whispering to these animals, they have the power to bring whatever messages are trusted to them to the right persons. Tomas realizes how much he owes to Mary; he wants to call her 'mom', something that brings happiness to her.Unfortunately, happiness is short lived because Mary is a sick woman. She has to be taken to the hospital. Tomas' heart is broken because losing Mary will only mean one thing, he will be returned to the orphanage and his old life again. Little does he know that Alec learns to accept him, and eventually love him as his own son.The film is directed by Vic Sarin, who also contributed with Catherine Spear and Dennis Foon to the adaptation of the novel by Lillian Beckwith. It is a feel good movie in spite of the tragedy Tomas experiences at such a young age. The message is basically how love given to a complete stranger can transform people in such a positive way. While Tomas seems to be the one that has to gain the most, it is his adoptive father Alec the ones that benefits because the love Mary brought to the situation.Connie Nielsen makes a wonderful Mary O'Donnell. Ms. Nielsen is a welcome addition to any film in which she graces with her personality. Aidan Quinn spends most of the film being in a foul mood as he cannot accept the presence of a stranger in his own home. The boy actor John Bell appears to be a natural. The setting of Corrie island adds another layer to the film. The gorgeous photography by its director Vic Sarin is a pleasure to watch. Keith Porter contributed with the musical score.

I saw this film in December, of 2009 in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.Tomas is a young boy that is bullied and unhappy at an orphanage. He is suddenly and mysteriously adopted by a childless couple, who live simply and modestly on a very remote Irish island. The Mother, although in ill health, is a woman of astounding positive energy and beauty and sets herself to healing the mental and physical scars of the boy's unfortunate upbringing. The Father meanwhile loves his wife dearly, but is far less excited by the recovering, damaged boy.Intertwined with this awkward triangle relationship is light fantasy and legend and mystery of the gorgeous Irish coast. The Irish coast is so beautifully rendered that it is like a fourth character.There is suddenly a great change in circumstances and two parts of the triangle have to come to terms with this tragedy. It takes courage and resolve and change and love.The three actors of the triangle are vivid and hold your attention and each ultimately moves you emotionally in three different ways.FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.