I've yet to see The Secret of the Kells, the first film from the team behind the animated film Song of the Sea, but if it's even half as charming, funny, moving, and just plain beautiful as this is, I'm going to be thrilled with it. Incorporating a slew of Irish folk tales and legends, Song of the Sea tells the tale of a young girl who may be one of the legendary selkies, her older brother who's trying to both protect her and torment her in the usual brotherly way, and their father, still grieving the loss of his wife and their mother. What the film does, though, is remarkable, combined those disparate elements to make something that's part adventure story, part family drama, part exploration of Irish myths, and part exploration of grief and healing. And that's not even mentioning the incorporation of humor, Irish music, drama, and more. But if the story was all there was to Song of the Sea, it would still be good, but not the incredible achievement that it is. No, Song of the Sea's greatest strength comes from its jaw-droppingly beautiful visual style, creating something that feels like old tapestries come to life, or perhaps a beautiful blend of childlike simplicity and classic elegance. The end effect, though, is that there's not a single frame of the movie you couldn't mount on your wall as a work of art, and the way it constantly underlines the magic and charm of the story can't be overstated. It all comes together to make for a truly wonderful and astonishing experience, one that I loved every minute of and can't wait to show to more people just so I have the excuse to experience it again.
- Josh Mauthe
- Josh Mauthe
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