The Quiet Girl

The best Irish film (whatever that means) ever made? Based on Claire Keegan’s exceptional ‘long short story’, The Quiet Girl’s ably adapted, and translated into the Irish language, by first-time feature-filmmaker Bairéad. It succeeds through his assured direction, Kate McCullough’s stunning cinematography, and a very strong Irish cast and crew, not least the young Catherine Clinch. Neglected by her immediate family, and her time, Cáit is fostered by distant relatives. She returns transformed. The film’s sacramental and incarnational, with a world charged with loss and love. It ends with a prayer-of-sorts. And hope. Better than The Quiet Man (no relation).