I liked this film.
The story is easy to follow, and interesting too. I had most of it figured out early on, but that didn't take away from the pleasure of watching it.
I have three complaints, but none of them really sink the film. (Sorry, I did like the film, but I'm much better at complaining, so that's what my review will be. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this film was a good feature, but SHOULD have been great). (1) The acting by the younger Canadian/US actors is abysmal. It's like they all thought they were auditioning for Scary Movie 25 and ended up acting in this. Fortunately the script is able to survive it. (2) The effects are also abysmal. After Lord of the Rings happened (half a decade prior) there was no longer any excuse for crappy CG effects. The rule is: if you can't make it real, don't show it at all. Fortunately the story also survives this, because it's not really about that. (3) The central character is totally unlikeable, young or old. And choosing easily-recognizable actors for that role didn't help. This is probably the one that keeps me from rating this higher.
Anyway, aside from that, it was an interesting and moving story, with good acting by the older set, and those playing Irish roles. The cinematography (aside from the CG) was also good.
The story is easy to follow, and interesting too. I had most of it figured out early on, but that didn't take away from the pleasure of watching it.
I have three complaints, but none of them really sink the film. (Sorry, I did like the film, but I'm much better at complaining, so that's what my review will be. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this film was a good feature, but SHOULD have been great). (1) The acting by the younger Canadian/US actors is abysmal. It's like they all thought they were auditioning for Scary Movie 25 and ended up acting in this. Fortunately the script is able to survive it. (2) The effects are also abysmal. After Lord of the Rings happened (half a decade prior) there was no longer any excuse for crappy CG effects. The rule is: if you can't make it real, don't show it at all. Fortunately the story also survives this, because it's not really about that. (3) The central character is totally unlikeable, young or old. And choosing easily-recognizable actors for that role didn't help. This is probably the one that keeps me from rating this higher.
Anyway, aside from that, it was an interesting and moving story, with good acting by the older set, and those playing Irish roles. The cinematography (aside from the CG) was also good.