Ondine really is comfortable territory for Jordan, and probably not in a good way. With the Irish film industry seemingly unwilling to produce anything other than safe, conservative fare, my expectations were as low as they ever are of anything funded by the IFB. I can’t say I was pleasantly surprised, though Colin Farrell turns in an excellent performance as the Kerry fisherman who rescues the titular “selkie” (a cross between a mermaid and a seal or some shit) and falls in love with her. The problem of the film is two-fold: firstly, its “twist” is predicated on one of the most shocking contrivances I’ve ever witnessed in cinema (not to spoil it for you) and secondly, for better or for worse, the film seems like an excuse (and a poor one at that) for Jordan to film Alicja Bachleda-Curus in as little clothing as possible. Is this the kind of film that ought to represent the cultural output of our country?
Words: Oisin Murphy
