La Niña Callada

If you were looking for negatives you could say this is a tad manipulative and slow. But most fiction is manipulative to a degree and the unhurried pace is appropriate to the film. It is an excellent Irish production.

Well set in the 80's, this is the tale of a quiet, somewhat withdrawn girl in a poor catholic family that is shortly to expand yet again with another baby. Mum is barely coping and dad drinks a bit. To ease the strain the quiet child is hived off to a childless cousin and her husband who have a bit more time and cash for an attempt at compassion. Husband initially does not want to get too involved. The story is well drawn and affecting and while the ending is a little up in the air (and thats ok) you can contemplate your own while you reminisce of the times as a kid you were in trouble for tryin' to help.

The direction is restrained and the acting throughout is very good. Catherine the girl playing the lead Cait, is superb. A great film.