WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
What we undisputedly covet vs. staying true to what’s undeniably right. As human beings, we’re simply NOT perfect. We have character flaws that will arise when circumstances arrive that cause us to debate and potentially rationalize doing what goes against our, ideally, well-meaning nature. Not wishing to seem decidedly envious of what someone else might gain, even IN our own perceived NEED of what it is ourselves, WILL we end up choosing that better angel–or attempt to justify a seemingly harmless yet questionable choice? It is a dilemma now being dealt with by Mrs. Kelly (Bríd Ní Neachtain), a humble and pious housekeeper for a lonely priest (Tom Lawlor) who unexpectedly finds a diamond in the rough via Clodagh (Katelyn Rose Downey), a young girl with a particularly exceptional and striking world of promise, whom now she wants to see excel–under HER teaching. But, can this actually come to pass–and at what cost?
Next, my Mind:
Chasing after longed for success, reconciling past regrets and lost opportunities, witnessing and subsequently desiring to nurture the greater potential in someone, being reminded of former dreams now reflected in another person, and the anatomy of white lies all find their place to manifest and have affecting sway–but also hypothetical or realized repercussions–through this beautifully executed 16-minute indie short film from writer/director Portia A. Buckley, writer/producer Michael Lindley, and executive producer Serena Armitage that recently screened in person (and currently online through April 21st) as part of the 48th Cleveland International Film Festival that ran April 3rd-13th, 2024, where it also won the Spalding & Jackson Award: In Celebration of Joy. As this critic will always state, and HAS stated, countless times over the course of covering independent cinema from around the world over the last 9+ years, it is this style of perfectly grounded storytelling and character-driven effort that shines a necessary light on our human nature and the challenges in life that serve as the reminder of how the decisions we make can influence and cause possible ripple effects we have yet to see or might NOT see at all, but will exist.
Seen through the eyes of an affable, firm, perhaps somewhat haunted, and religiously centered older woman whose passions outside of her normal duties bring her into an unforeseen connection with an evident prodigy she then utterly desires to have under her tutelage–ONLY–but then faces a personal conflict inwardly because of it, the narrative carries itself with fantastic pacing that allows the events depicted to unfold in precisely the right fashion and delivery so as to have maximum overall bearing in purpose while offering the deepest degrees of hearteningly enchanting then dramatically intense persuasiveness. The present wonder of it for this critic is just how effectively short film can provide a FULL level of engagement and story in such abridged runtimes without losing either the entertainment value or, as is the case with this project, the intended substance it aims for while keeping viewers feeling wholly fulfilled from start to finish. Adeptly accomplished here without question, and it’s also an ongoing affirmation of how Irish cinema still continues to explode onto the world stage over the last several years now.
As was initially hinted at in the first paragraph above, the narrative covers a score of thematic explorations that make up the whole and likewise deliver the needed magnitude of thought-provoking elements that make it so fully relatable to us when watching. Facets of faith, moral values, crisis of conscious, serving our own interest and/or placing it above what others would end up obtaining at our perceived expense, having both definitively logical and entirely uncertain mindsets about a circumstance we’re facing, the convictions in our hearts vs. our heads accompanying realities we’re encountering that we’re torn about, thinking about the consequences to even the smallest of untruths being confronted, showing a willingness to think through what’s best but then still hesitating about what a final choice might be, and ultimately stepping forward for good or ill all shine through with emphatic relevancy and arrives at an admittedly cathartic and heartwarming finale. Additionally, the film’s rousing musical instances are energetic and filled with apropos atmospheric vibrancy thanks to multi-instrumentalist and renowned Irish fiddle player Fergal Scahill.
Neachtain is a clear and convincing illustration of ingrained tradition, rule following, and doctrine colliding with unanticipated joy and its effect on the mind, soul, and spirit that could have greater sovereignty in a key choice that requires a slight bending of truth through her role as Mrs. Kelly, a woman who, while set in her simple life of housekeeping and teaching, receives a wake-up call to her very being when a new student comes to the class she teaches and opens her eyes to long dormant possibilities and ability to support a child’s talents and dreams. But, when the elation is interrupted by one small detail that could derail it all, Mrs. Kelly must go up against her own steadfast devotion, along with a persistent voice of actual reason AND contention, in order to accept what she either must let go of or pursue regardless of the ramifications. It’s a magnificently credible performance Neachtain beings to the screen, as we’re drawn into her character’s plight full force, feeling every ounce of both ambivalence and newly gestating exhilaration she’s experiencing.
Downey likewise brings such a captivatingly innocent, understated, then hugely energetic aura to the film via her turn as the title character Clodagh, a young girl whose extent of quiet but confident unpretentiousness is only overshadowed by the initially veiled then sweepingly (and exhaustively, as in literally! WOW! The ENERGY expended!) conspicuous skills she’s displaying that ensnares the attention and hearts of everyone present when visiting Mrs. Kelly’s class after managing to get into it after the latter’s reservations. Without spoiling anything else, suffice it to say, I truly hope we get to see more of Downey in future films, as her unfeigned manner that just elicits smiles combined with the sheer talent showcased, it makes for a charming and delightful performance that deserves notice and this critic feels only scratches the surface of what the actress can and will bring to the projects she’s involved with now and going forward. I am constantly awed by these blossoming artists and am grateful they have a chance to be seen like this.
Primary supporting roles arrive from Jim Kitson as Mr. Hickey, the resident fiddle player where Mrs. Kelly teaches and who has more than his fair share of opinions when it comes to what Clodagh has brought to their world, what she could accomplish, and that he will not stop being that proponent of what Mrs. Kelly SHOULD do to ensure the potential star’s guide to success IS them! I adored Kitson’s delivery of his character’s insistence on the situation, as he IS a needed foil to Mrs. Kelly’s strained but present wavering. Aidan O’Hare plays Clodagh’s equally soft-spoken and deeply supportive father who pleads for his daughter to have the opportunity to attend Mrs. Kelly’s class in spite of the obstacle that arises to complicate the situation. Finally, Noelle Brown, in voice form only, plays Mrs. Quinn, a teacher at another county’s school that becomes the focal point of Clodagh and Mrs. Kelly’s concerns. Additional appearances are made by Daniella Cooney, Ella Cremins, Ella Hehir, Mia Hehir, Ava Holden, Lucy Lawlor, and Freya Nugent.
So, in total, “Clodagh” is a thoroughly uplifting, cheerful, and inspired film that doesn’t sacrifice the actuality of how what we pine for the most cannot always come without a certain price attached, with the irreproachability we strive to maintain pushed to its breaking point, with the final result being for the best–right?
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
