recommended

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

To begin with the scenery is beautiful. I love being able to feel like I am part of the community there. Until this movie I didn't have any idea about Ireland and it's part in the Second World War. A somehow interesting plot with some good actors and a wonderful village in Ireland. Could have been better, could have been worse but in the end you won't regret it.

Most of the Connecticut suburbs northwest of New York City up until nearly the end of the 20th century were operating under what was referred to as a gentleman's agreement. Jewish families were kept from moving into certain towns - New Canaan being the WORST of these. No way would a family names Dreyfuss (Jewish, or Jewish sounding) would be shown houses in New Canaan at that time. He would either live in a nearby city, like Stamford, home to one Lieberman family, whose son should have been vice President, or Westport, which alone among its neighbors allowed Jews to live there.

However, the story was leaden with its pacing and I had difficulty staying interested in the story. Maybe it is because after I got it in my head that the lead actress had too many tics with her popping eyes and mouth twisting that it became too distracting. But that is my problem, not hers.

The first four episodes were fine. I was enjoying the story well enough. But by the final episode I did not like the main two characters at all. I have discovered that if that happens, I'm done. The main character Rose's husband, Michael, is going to lose the family pub and is trying to talk to his wife about this. His wife runs out of the house into the arms of the married American Captain that she has a crush on. The husband, Michael has just given her an engagement ring as he never could afford it when they were young. Rose has a teenager and two younger kiddies. The American Captain has a mentally ill wife who has just tried to commit suicide. That is the end of the story. What is the point? Love can not be denied? Love is more important than anything or anyone else? I just ended up feeling bad for the kiddies, the Captain's wife and Michael. Rose and the Captain are making bad karma in my book.