The Secret of Roan Inish Movie Review

Based on Rosalie K. Fry's novel, Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry, The Secret of Roan Inish is a charming and gentle fable, featuring a delightful performance by newcomer Jeni Courtney as 10-year-old Fiona. Fiona is enchanted by her grandfather's stories about her baby brother, Jamie, who once drifted out to sea, and about the lovely selkie Seal/Lady, who once came on land to live with Fiona's family. Mason Daring's atmospheric score adds to the mood and tone of the piece, which represents a point of departure for writer/director John Sayles. Set in County Donegal, it's the perfect movie for St. Patrick's Day or anytime you feel like being wrapped in the spell of another time and place.

1994 (PG) 102m/C Jeni Courtney, Michael Lally, Eileen Colgan, John Lynch, Richard Sheridan, Susan Lynch, Cillian Byrne; D: John Sayles; W: John Sayles; C: Haskell Wexler; M: Mason Daring. Nominations: Independent Spirit Awards ‘96: Best Director (Sayles), Best Film, Best Screenplay. VHS, LV, Closed Caption