A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Quiet Girl” (2022).
(Original Title: An Cailín Ciúin).
I watched “The Quiet Girl” because it it nominated for the Best International Film in both the Oscars and the BAFTAs. And I’m so glad I did. It is just perfection in film-making and storytelling.
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
It’s 1981 in rural Ireland and Cáit (Catherine Clinch) is a quiet and disturbed young girl living in a loveless house with her four other siblings, her stressed and pregnant ‘mam’ (Kate Nic Chonaonaigh) and her brusque and feared ‘Da’ (Michael Patric). As the pregnancy advances, Cáit is packed off to live on a farm with her aunt Eibhlin (Carrie Crowley) and her husband Seán (Andrew Bennett). But whilst Eibhlin claims there are “no secrets in this house” there is a strange dynamic at play.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC: “Infrequent strong language.”).
Talent:
Starring: Catherine Clinch, Carrie Crowley, Andrew Bennett, Kate Nic Chonaonaigh, Michael Patric.
Directed by: Colm Bairéad.
Written by: Colm Bairéad (Based on the book “Foster” by Claire Keegan).
Twitter Handle: #quietgirlfilm.
Eibhlin (Carrie Crowley) introduces Cáit (Catherine Clinch) to the joys of the farm’s well-water. (Source: Curzon).
“The Quiet Girl” Review:
Positives:
- This film is astonishingly well done for first time feature-writer/director Colm Bairéad. The screenplay (which is also up for a well deserved Best Adapted Screenplay BAFTA) is sparse on words but fabulous on ‘show-don’t-tell’. A wet patch on the bed; trains on the wallpaper; a sweeping brush in her hand: not a frame is wasted in telling the story in a compact 90 minute run-time. The material is quite slight; the pace is slow; but it’s just perfect.
- A bad child performance in this film would have ruined it. Fortunately, they have Catherine Clinch who can seemingly convey every emotion effortlessly through her face. A real star in the making. She is ably supported by the rest of the cast.
- The film is technically superb, and looks a million dollars (on a budget of just over £1M!): the cinematography by Kate McCullough is glorious; the editing by John Murphy is crisp and sharp (just look at that ‘well scene’ towards the end of the film); and the music by Stephen Rennicks is poignant and totally fitting to the mood.
- And that finale! The most perfect (read as ‘the most horribly frustratingly unresolved’!) ending since Michael Caine dangled off a cliff in “The Italian Job”!
Negatives:
- The only thing I would quibble with was why Bairéad chose to film it in 4:3 format rather than 16:9.
Summary Thoughts on “The Quiet Girl”
This was one of Mark Kermode’s favourite films of 2022, and I can fully see why. I fear that with all the attention, “All Quiet on the Western Front” is going to scoop up the prizes for Best International Film at the Oscars and the BAFTAs. But, as impressive as that was, I will be rooting for this little Irish gem.
The film is partly in English but mostly in Gaelic with subtitles (allowing its entry for the “Not in the English language” award). But don’t let that put you off. This is a profoundly moving, poignant and unforgettable film.
It’s currently available on the BFI player subscription (which you can access through Amazon Prime Video) and to rent on Apple+. There is a free 7-day subscription to the BFI player that you can use to watch it for free.
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Trailer for “The Quiet Girl”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGWyqty2m-A .
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