The Quiet Girl (2022)

The Quiet Girl (2022)

A serene yet moving portrait of an unexpected family unit filled with love

The Very Best

8.2

Movie

Ireland
English, Irish
Drama
2022
COLM BAIRÉAD
Carrie Crowley, Catherine Clinch, Kate Nic Chonaonaigh
94 min

TL;DR

If I had Cáit's father, I would run that fast too.

What it's about

A withdrawn 9-year-old girl finds a sense of belonging and love with her distant relatives in rural Ireland, but a dark secret threatens to tear her new family apart.

The take

"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. 

What stands out

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.

Comments

Add a comment

What did you think? Who should watch it?

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

He Got Game (1998)

A basketball movie that transcends the limits of the sports drama to become an operatic tale of forgiveness and temptation

8.3

The Guilty (2018)

A minimalist, razor-sharp thriller that will have you gasping for air.

9.0

Famous (2023)

A weak and confusing attempt at a hip-hop drama

3.8

A Million Miles Away (2023)

A biopic designed to be as inoffensive and feel-good as possible, helped along by strong lead performances

6.3

Lady Macbeth (2016)

A subversive, gothic character study anchored by Florence Pugh’s ferocious breakout performance

7.9

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

A star-studded and riveting legal drama with a blockbuster feel.

9.1

Pauline at the Beach (1983)

A characteristically perceptive X-ray of human nature courtesy of a conversational movie master

8.4

System Crasher (2019)

A tale of trauma and one of the most talked about movies on Netflix in 2020.

9.0

The Limey (1999)

A formally inventive neo-noir thriller that also acts as a fascinating reflection on cinematic history

8.6

Theater Camp (2023)

Made with obvious love, this riotous shot of mockumentary joy also has a surprisingly sincere heart

8.1

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw logo

© 2023 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.