Rating: 
Summary: Great story, well-told
Review: A beautiful tale for all ages. One of the few movies available for families to watch together that won't insult anyone's intelligence. The reaction of the grandmother when she hears the girl's story is perfect. This is one to own.
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Summary: Magical tale of family heritage
Review: This is one for everyone's collection. The story line is enchanting and mesmerizing. The cinematography is so superb that I caught myself watching with the sound on mute for over 15 minutes.Would recommend this to everyone of all ages.
Rating: 
Summary: I HATED IT
Review: WHEN I SAW THE MOVIE, IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO FINISH WATCHING IT. I THOUGHT THE PLOT WAS SO BORING. I WOULD NOT SUGGEST THIS MOVIE TO ANYONE. I WATCHED THE MOVIE WITH MY FRIEND AND MY MOTHER AND WE ALL AGREED THAT IT WAS A VERY DUMB MOVIE. IT DOES NOT DESERVE EVEN ONE STAR.
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Summary: Exquisitely lovely tale of magic, memory and strong families
Review: We adore this film because it touches all ages with its haunting beauty and gentle soul. Sayles has perfectly cast the role of Fiona, the solemn, intense young beauty so intent on unraveling the strange and mysterious secrets of her family. The photography, the music, the startling beauty of the islands, the understated performance of the little girl who stars, as well as the otherworldly nature of the plot--all entrancing. How refreshing to have a strong, capable female child as the hero of a film. Roan Inish is a must see for all families--it's uplifting, thrilling, deeply satisfying to watch Fiona make sense of the family mystery as she communes so sweetly with the gulls and seals. Watch too for the performance of Fiona's fisherman cousin, "the dark one."
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Summary: New meaning to the word "magical"
Review: Don't let the photo on the box fool you. This isn't meaning some cute animal and kid movie. Rather this movie is an enchanting and captivating tale weaving folklore and myth into the history of a young girl's family. The story line (which frequently is told via mesmerizing flashbacks), the gorgeous scenery, and the lovely music (you'll want to get the soundtrack too) all add up to make easily one of the very best John Sayles movies ever. Given that he has yet to make anything close to a dud, this is saying something.
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Summary: I loved this movie!
Review: This movie describs how unforgiving the world can be. It also describes how you cannot let people or things that depend on you down It is worth the 5 star Rating!
Rating:
Summary: A gentle, charming film of magic and redemption.
Review: John Sayles has crafted a wonderful fable concerning a young girl, Fiona, sent to live with her grandparents after the death of her father. What she finds out about her mother and the brother everyone thought was lost will enlighten the most cynical and charm the most bitter of viewers. The score, adapted in large part by Mason Darling is wistful and lovely, and Eileen Loughlane sings one of the loveliest lullabys ever recorded. A film that can't be recommended too highly.
Rating: 
Summary: great story showing the influence of children's goals
Review: The children in this story are very important in the gradual persuasion of the adults to move back to the island they had called home. They cut through the history, excuses and various reasons why the adults knew they could not go back. There is also a presentation of the legend of the mermaid, who in this case comes from the seals and takes care of one of the family's children, which they had believed had been lost. Very enjoyable and interesting story; well filmed and acted. END
Rating:
Summary: What a beautiful film
Review: This film was so gorgeous...the scenery was breathtaking. Though I was a bit confused at times about the plot (now I understand it more), overall it was a spectacular piece of cinema. Lovely.
Rating:
Summary: Magical Irish Tale
Review: The Secret of Roan Innish is a movie unlike any other I have seen. Truly enchanting, haunting, moving, and inspiring, I recommend this movie to anyone who has not lost their sense of childlike wonder, and who remembers fairy tales read on a rainy day. Roan Innish means Seal Island in Celtic. The story is of a young, orphaned Irish girl determined to uncover her family's secret. Her brother has been missing, and is never mentioned by her traditional and loving grandparents, who are raising her. The intrepid girl uses her detective skills, perseverance, hard work, and all the resources at hand to uncover a mystery greater than she or her grandparents ever imagined. This is a movie for adults more than children, as the heavy Irish brouge is a bit difficult to translate at first, and the beautiful filmography may seem slow-moving to children. Amazing acting will transport you to a place you have never been and will never forget.
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