Rating: 
Summary: Extremely memeorable
Review: This is not so much a review as a recollection, and I won't go into how I got to this website, but Secret of Roan Inish is among my top favorites. It has been a couple years since I have watched this video. but reading the other reviews urged me to write. As I remember the story, John Sayles' Ireland is as much about shoreline, deep dark sea waters, as it is about rolling green hills (no Irish postcard pictures here). It's a blend of soaring seagulls and longing looks in a seal's eyes as it is about the choking air of factories and fish markets. It's about those same seagulls and seals watching us, eventually taking on a spirit function of guardians and guides. As much about a grandfather's faith in his tales, as a skeptical grandmother's hidden hope that they are true. This is not for the emotional mamby-pamby. A mother's longing to return to the sea is stronger than her agony to stay with a beloved husband and children. A family loses its risk of wading out in the pulling tide as it carries away the infant. Our child heroine endures chastising by family and strangers as she searches to regain familial wholeness. It's also not for the impatient. The pace of the rural life is the pace of the story. But the story, visuals and sounds effectively keep us rooted. It's real life is not a fairy tale, but it invites us to believe. This is a great gift for those whose taste runs to the spiritual
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enchanting
Review: I have watched this film over and over, never tiring of the sweet, eerie story and the tough little heroine. My cat likes the movement of the water through the movie... I have the soundtrack CD as a companion at my desk at work. Watch this one if you like Ireland, fairy tales, myths, or anything just a bit offbeat.
Rating:
Summary: My Idea of a Classic
Review: With respect for his talent, I am not a big fan of Sayles' other works -- just because I never found much to interest me in their stories and moods. So this movie came as a big surprise to me. I first saw it soon after its initial theatrical release and was immediately impressed. The quality throughout the production made a definite, positive impact on me. But, more than appreciating the technical proficiency with which this film was made, I see this as a beautiful story told with grace and love. Having viewed it once more on video and a couple times more on DVD, I am amazed that this film has lost none of the magic it had for me that first time I saw it. There is something wonderful in the simplicity shown here. It makes clear that good story-telling can draw us in without relying on millions of dollars in special effects. All that is required is a certainty of expressing the events and giving them the dramatic weight they deserve. This is a movie that I want to share with everyone I know. It is definitely one of my favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: There are few words worth describing this film except that it belongs in any serious persons collection. Otherwise, it belongs on your shelf for your grandkids and any neighbor kid who happens to try to sell you something. All told, this is filmaking at it's best and it's children's theater at it's best and guess what;? Most of those who ask to borrow it from my vast collection are well over 30. Good show.
Rating:
Summary: Realistic take on Irish legend.
Review: The movie was very easy to become involved in. I like how the director shows the contrast between big city living and a rural fishing village. Fiona's father has lost himself in the city but he sends her back to live by the sea. The locations, costumes, and the acting are all very good. The story telling done by the actors in the movie are really exceptional in showing the magic of Ireland. And with those stories of the history of Fiona's family you can see how they can overcome their sense of loss and find themselves fulfilled as a family again. A very good movie, with many different ways of looking at it.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent fairy tale for the whole family
Review: I just rented this movie recently, with the knowledge in the back of my mind that when it was released, it was given good reviews by the critics (unusual in itself!). At first I watched it with my nine year old daughter, and we were totally enthralled by the mysterious tale that was carefully woven in front of our eyes. Then we fell in love with what we were watching, and encouraged my husband and teenage son to watch with us the next night. Even they loved it -- and it's hard to get a teenage boy to enjoy something like this. A completely extraordinary movie that is uplifting, interesting, and totally unlike anything we have seen before. In the words of another person who reviewed this video -- "I only buy videos if they are exceptional, and this one is exceptional." Not only am I buying it for myself, but I'm buying it as a gift as well!
Rating: 
Summary: Did I miss something?!
Review: It maybe that I have to see this movie again, but I really did not like at least two messages that it sent; The seal turned wife/mother was there against her will, and she eventually left her children and husband.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional
Review: I only buy movies that are exceptional, and I bought this. Wonderful storytelling!
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional, intelligent family movie
Review: The Secret of Roan Inish is the perfect family movie. It's wonderfully entertaining, it's beautiful to look at, and it has magic and fun and mystery to it. What makes this one most special, though is that it respects the intelligence of children. The girl this movie revolves around is a complete, thinking, emotional person. She unravels the "secret" mainly because she's determined and capable and thoughtful. The movie doesn't talk down to her *or* to kids in its audience. If you think about it, that's pretty rare in a movie. My son said it "talked" to him "like people, not like a kid." If you have a little girl, please, buy her this movie. Roan Inish isn't particularly aimed at girls, or even at children -- it'll win almost anyone over. But it's incredible to see movie built around a little girl this way, with respect. I would also recommend this movie to anyone who's enjoyed Local Hero. They're quite different films, but you'll understand the connection.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie/DVD Ever!!
Review: The best story ever told on the Television!! I can't believe how awseome it was. If you have seen the Red Violin, or if you have see this and haven't seen the red violin(they are both done by the same guy) you have to see both of them. They are the best ever. They are the best movies ever!!
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