Synopsis
In 2014, “Song of the Sea” was released and took the animated film industry by storm, due to the thought provoking blend of fantasy, family, and emotions which were created by Irish folklore. Tomm Moore, who also worked on “The Secret of Kells” and “Wolfwalkers,” directed the film. Ben and his sibling embark on a magical journey in which their family and true selves shall be revealed alongside a world stemmed from ancient Irish mythology.
The narrative takes place on one of the Irish islands. Ben, along with his father Conor, mother Bronach, and baby sister Saoirse, make a family. Bronach, on the other hand, lives off tragic mystique. Ben is a passionate and imaginative young boy who along with his creative side, loves his mother and feels quite apathetic towards his baby sister. The family is quite lost and confused, for Bronach disappears that very night, which feels quite tragic. The family must however, learn to live without Bronach, who tends to cast a shadow over their home.
Six years down the line, the family has been residing in a lighthouse on the same island. Ben has become a solitary, daydreaming child deep in reminiscence. Saoirse has become a quiet, overwhelmed child. To this day, she has never uttered a single word. Even though she embodies the sisters’ absence, she possesses a sense of quiet enchantment. Something about her, in this case, has a deep affinity with the ocean and appears to be tethered to something of a mystical nature.
One day, Saoirse comes across a white coat hidden in a trunk belonging to one of the family members, now deceased. Once she steps out of the water she glows and a white seal comes to surface, she has transformed. Out of the coat she was wearing, she has transformed into a Selkie, a creature out of the Irish legend of Selkies. It’s said that Selkies live on land in human form and at sea as a seal.
This step marks the beginning of the main odyssey of the movie. When Saoirse gets sick because of the loss of the magical coat, her grandfather with the accompanying Ben, takes them to the metropolis to stay. Ben, feeling sad, runs away from the home like a fugitive along with the coat to try and find the lighthouse. On the journey, they encounter a whole other realm conjured with the fantasy of long gone epoch—shades, pixies, and wisdom owls.
It is not only a journey and exploration of her nature and true identity, but also, a change of soul. He becomes emotionally attached after realizing that this is who he needed to be. These beings become one. Together, they have to accomplish a goal which is to restore balance by bringing harmony with something that constantly gets broken.
There is a certain amount of sacrifice that still needs to be acknowledged, something that he also needed to comprehend, and that is the feeling of love or affection. He becomes a gentle, caring older brother from a frustrated sibling, and finally understands that the tales of his mother were much more complex than just bedtime stories. Rather, they were the very basis to hold the fundamental roots of the incomplete family.
The film ends on an astounding and deeply moving note. By deciding to forgo the ocean and stay with her family, Saoirse sacrifices her Selkie side to preserve the love and unbreakable connection she holds with Ben. In doing so, the siblings become much closer, and the father is able to heal from the emotional distance brought on by his grief.
Ben, the primary character, is found to be a young boy on the verge of becoming an adolescent. Rawle David is the voice of Ben. During his character arc, he learns to cherish his sister and the wonders of the world that surround them.
Oconnell, Lucy provides her voice to Saoirse. She is calm and gentle bearing a a mystic and enchanting character.
Gleson Brendan is father to the children and a lighthouse keeper. He has to juggle her responsibilities as a single parent with the grief of a lost wife.
Flanagan Fionnula is the voice of Macha. She is a strict protective grandmother and the mythical like owl being. She petrifies those in pain to help them.
Hannigan Lisa is the Selkie mother of the children. She left them a magical and love filled legacy.
From the start, the voice actors skillfully infuse each character with a sense of warmth and authenticity that grounds the fantasy elements in very real feelings.
Animation & Art Style
Hand-drawn 2D animation rich in texture and detail and inspired to a great degree by traditional Irish art and medieval manuscripts is a hallmark of the film. With that in mind, perhaps the most distinguished elements of Song of the Sea is the way in which every frame is alive with vibrant detail, each appearing as a richly symbolic painting.
Where applicable, the use of color in the film carries and sets an enormous tone; with coolness in the blues and purples for the more magical and sea-bound portions, warm earth tones for the lighthouse and home entwining, as well as the brighter and more whimsically designed creatures of folklore, each element is nestled in their respective frameworks. The animation is fluid with a powerfully expressive style where the emotional sequences breathe, while the magical ones more so shine. Illuminating flexible harmonies and delicate structures, the film generously rewards multiple, attentive view with a sense of wonder.
The song of the sea is also distinguished from the array of other modern animated films by the poetic quality and sophisticated beauty of its animel’s structures as well as the vivid landscapes which flow in from nature. A Song of the Sea is a dear film which appeals to both children and adults alike.
Themes & Messages
At the center, A Song of the Sea captures that intricate love in the family by their union while also expressing the pain of loss, deep affection healing’s magical touch and the powerful connection with nature.
Grief and Healing: While still grieving for Bronach, each character finds a different way to cope with the loss. In the process, they discover inner feelings about each member of the group and how to connect with them to progress as a unit.
Sibling Love: Saoirsee, as one of the most brilliant siblings, manages to grab the admiration and love of Ben, who was initially a source of annoyance. The relationship they share is what drives the entire story.
Cultural Heritage: The film greatly appreciates the storytelling art of culture by embracing it with Irish folklore.
Balance Between Worlds: The movie emphasizes the importance of the gentle, enchanted realm and the contemporary world; both need to be honored and cherished.
These messages, intertwined with compassion and clarity, are intended for a younger audience, yet they still provide deep insights for adults.
Reception & IMDb Ratings
The movie, Song of the Sea, has an IMDb score of 8.0 out of 10. Such a score is given to the movie based on the strong praises that the audience and critics shower on it. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for the Best Animated Feature and has won plenty of awards at various international festivals.
Critics highlighted the film’s emotional range, cultural significance, and incredible images. The public describes the flagship film as ‘a beautiful storybook come to life’ and appreciates the fact that it recognizes children’s thoughts and feelings.
Conclusion
The film ‘Song of the Sea’ is a visually arresting and emotionally engrossing animated motion picture that captures the soul. There is more to this story than magic and adventure as it also serves as a soft reflection of love, memory, and self-realization.
The film gently interweaves reality and mythology providing a subtle encouragement to all to see, feel, and understand. It promotes a listening culture that extends to other people, history, and the whispers of the sea.
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