"Many's the person missed the opportunity to say nothing and lost much because of it." The Quiet Girl takes the troubled, reserved nature of Cáit (Catherine Clinch) as she's swallowed by the discord in her evergrowing family, who treats her as an outcast, and fills the film with her serene, observatory perspective. Long sequences with little to no dialogue and an expansive countryside give way to the emotional thrum of this found-family drama. The simplicity in every frame befits a child's innocence, and every visual and sonic decision reinforces that wonderfully. Loving and nurturing a child is a straightforward concept, and The Quiet Girl never complicates it. Without saying much, it says it all.

The moments between Cáit and Seán are the backbone of the film. Alike in their reserved natures, the two - who once skirted around each other - are eventually drawn to the likeness. Where Eibhlín pours in affirmation and affection for Cáit, Seán anchors her with a peaceful solace. Their bond, though seemingly understated, imbues the film with a heart that can only come from feeling truly understood.