Behind the Waterfall

My mom used to purchase Feature Films for Families movies for me when I was a child and this one stands out among the finer. You have to approach the story from a child's point of view. As a child, you are experiencing everything for the very first time and it is generally a completely innocent experience.

The film begins with the revelation that Tommy and Becky's father has passed away and they are on their way to visit their Aunt. There is an air of fantasy from the first moments on. Tommy and his ever skeptical cousin, Alex, decide to capture Mr. Connors for their own reasons. Alex wishes to prove to Tommy that leprechauns aren't real and Tommy seeks to obtain the one wish that accompanies capturing a leprechaun - he plans to wish for his father to come back. Mr. Connors denies being a leprechaun but insinuates that there is a way for Tommy's wish to be granted, so long as the children help him find the Fairy King's lost Fayden. The journey they begin is much more meaningful than anyone would have guessed.

This is an incredibly comforting, moving movie. I can see where some adults might find it a little bit slow-paced or uninteresting but, speaking as someone who passionately loved this movie as a child, I think it helps to try and remember what you were like as a child and then watch through those eyes.

It's kind of a nice, gentle old fashioned movie. I thought Gary Burghoff did a reasonable borough, although it probably wouldn't fool anyone from Galway or Cork. However, it isn't any broader than those in The Quiet Man and some of those actors really were Irish. I could have done without the fake, bushy eyebrows though, but they probably did that so he'd look his age or older (I think he was mid 50s or so at the time) and so people wouldn't say Hey, Radar O'Reilly's playing a Leprechaun. And it was faith based but not advancing one religion over another. My other recommendation is if The Irish Rovers ever need a new member, Gary Burghoff, even though his background isn't necessarily Irish, would make a good one.

The movie isn't just about irish folk tales. The youngest boy has to move to a small town and learn to accept his fathers death. And who better to help him then Alex. She plays the real smart child. Who's she trying to kid? The two children spend their summer with an old Irish man named Mr. O'Conners played by radar himself. I hope nobody has any problems with the accent. It was well done but in the back of your head you knew it was fake. The two children will learn to look at the world around them with a new view. The young boy has a sister who is having trouble living in the new town. I mean a town with out a mall whatever. With funny little moments like ferry rings where you could get stuck dancing for seven years. Everything seems to be going smoothly until Mr. O'Conners has a heart attack. The young boy figures out a way to save to save him by finding an old flute Mr. O'Conners had had stolen from him. By the way the flute was for the fairy king...Kinky. I highly endorse this product or event. If you don't have anything to do for a while either pray or watch this movie but either way this is as close to heaven as you can get.

We watched Behind the Waterfall in honor of Saint Patrick's Day and were charmed by the hint of Irish magic and folklore. Gary Burghoff plays a strong lead as a kind and older gentleman who may very well be a leprechaun. He spends his summer helping a few children learn how to be children by believing in possibilities and enjoying the world around them. Tommy and his sister Becky are visiting their aunt after the recent death of their father when they meet Mr. Connors. They need his kindness and hope. Their young cousin, Alex needs Mr. Connors to fill the void of a childhood lacking in imagination. I found the film to be a refreshing, old-fashioned, genuinely family-oriented film in the tradition of the Sunday night Wonderful World of Disney films that I grew up with.

The movie started off pretty good but i lost interest as the story went along. I know the actress who played Alex, and I dont think she was living up to her full potential. She does much better in school skits. The guy who plays Radar in MASH is in it so thats a plus. Overall i give this movie C-.