The Quiet Girl

[Arborbridge]

This film is a little gem, but it isn't for everyone - if you like fast and furious, then move on.

It's a slow burn gentle account of a young girl in rural Ireland and her gradual emerging from the fairly dysfunctional family she is part of. Her parents are small time farmers, but the father drinks and gambles, leaving the mother to try somehow to soldier on with little money and too many kids. Cait - the quiet girl - is literally that: quiet, very withdrawn and scarcely says anything and as a result is also backward at school.

Mum has yet another baby on the way, so Cait is packed off to a cousin and her husband for the whole summer. Here she gradually responds to a home which gives her some simple love and attention, a home which also hides a secret which is eventually revealed. The ending has a tear jerking quality, but maintains its gentle and wistful approach.
You might say it's inconsequential: its only 90 minutes of your time, but beautifully shows how a little love shown to a child can mean a lot - and I would say, last a lifetime.

Four stars from me.

[Gerry557]

Ive looked at this previously but the subs put me off as Mrs 557 doesn't like them.

I might have to try this when shes out. 7.7 score on imdb

[Leothebear]

Be really helpful if you can mention the source when making recommendations. Ta

[Gerry557]

Be really helpful if you can mention the source when making recommendations. Ta

https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-quiet-girl

[Itsallaguess]

This film is a little gem, but it isn't for everyone - if you like fast and furious, then move on.

It's a great film Arb, with all the qualities you've highlighted.

It also contains a truly great line that's stayed with me in the years since I watched it, when Seán and Cáit go to the beach, and he tells her that it's absolutely fine just to be 'quiet' -

“You don’t ever have to say anything. Remember that. Many’s the man lost much because he missed a perfect opportunity to say nothing.”

A review here from the Roger Ebert crew - https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-quiet-girl-movie-review-2023

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGWyqty2m-A

A beautiful film.

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[Arborbridge]

This film is a little gem, but it isn't for everyone - if you like fast and furious, then move on.

It's a great film Arb, with all the qualities you've highlighted.

It also contains a truly great line that's stayed with me in the years since I watched it, when Seán and Cáit go to the beach, and he tells her that it's absolutely fine just to be 'quiet' -

“You don’t ever have to say anything. Remember that. Many’s the man lost much because he missed a perfect opportunity to say nothing.”

A review here from the Roger Ebert crew - https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-quiet-girl-movie-review-2023

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGWyqty2m-A

A beautiful film.

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

I agree - that was a wonderful line, and so wise.
Did you find on occasions that this film had a similar wistful atmosphere to Cinema Paradiso? Different plot, of course, but the same slow moving unfolding suffused with gentleness. Once or twice, I thought the music would turn to Morricone.

Yes, one of the best I've seen for a year.

[Itsallaguess]

Did you find on occasions that this film had a similar wistful atmosphere to Cinema Paradiso? Different plot, of course, but the same slow moving unfolding suffused with gentleness. Once or twice, I thought the music would turn to Morricone.

Yes, one of the best I've seen for a year.

I can see the similarity.

Touching the edge of Terrence Malick's approach, I suppose, where the silent or at least serenely quiet sections are often the most important - a rare thing nowadays, where it feels brave for films to just allow a story to be shown, and trusting the viewer to fill the gaps with their own thoughts...

If you're in the mood for another great contemplative slice of rural Irish life, then I can highly recommend That They May Face the Rising Sun, with a trailer linked below -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrYv9VkRLEo

Just Watch page for viewing options - https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/that-they-may-face-the-rising-sun

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[Arborbridge]

Did you find on occasions that this film had a similar wistful atmosphere to Cinema Paradiso? Different plot, of course, but the same slow moving unfolding suffused with gentleness. Once or twice, I thought the music would turn to Morricone.

Yes, one of the best I've seen for a year.

I can see the similarity.

Touching the edge of Terrence Malick's approach, I suppose, where the silent or at least serenely quiet sections are often the most important - a rare thing nowadays, where it feels brave for films to just allow a story to be shown, and trusting the viewer to fill the gaps with their own thoughts...

If you're in the mood for another great contemplative slice of rural Irish life, then I can highly recommend That They May Face the Rising Sun, with a trailer linked below -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrYv9VkRLEo

Just Watch page for viewing options - https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/that-they-may-face-the-rising-sun

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

Thanks for that recommendation - I will try to get to see it.