I felt genuinely disheartened watching 'The Quiet Girl,' not in a satisfying way. While it’s possible to view the film through the lens of growing up, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the girl’s life wouldn’t improve beyond that brief experience—and that left me with an unpleasant sensation. It is always welcome when a movie evokes emotion, naturally. I found myself tearing up, and lingered through the closing cr…

Is it really the greatest Irish film of all time? Perhaps that’s hard to define. The Quiet Girl, adapted from Claire Keegan's remarkable short story and presented in the Irish language, comes from first-time filmmaker Bairéad. It works so well thanks to his confident direction, Kate McCullough’s beautiful cinematography, and a talented group of Irish actors and behind-the-camera staff—especially young Catherine Cl…

It's a quietly unfolding narrative about the different forms that love can take. Everything—the direction, the rhythm, the visuals and the performances—is exceptional. The way the main characters grow and change throughout the story is remarkable. It’s such a charming film; it makes you wish you could simply be part of that setting.

Catherine Clinch delivers a strong performance as the quiet yet inquisitive "Cáit." Because her mother is expecting, she’s sent to live with farmers “Eibhlín” (Carrie Crowley) and “Seán” (Andrew Bennett). While the mother seems happy to have her, the father appears reserved, and the young girl must adjust to a new environment. Her parents do care for her; they aren't bad people, but she’s often been left on her own, …