This Irish and United Kingdom, English speaking romantic drama tells the story of a couple who were made for each other, and who become victims of fate.
FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE. Starring Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter, Gabriel Byrne, Donal Finn, Fionn O’Shea, and Ann Skelly. Directed by Polly Steele. Rated M (suicide references). 109m.
Review by Peter W Sheehan, Jesuit Media Australia
The film is based on the international debut novel by Niall Williams of the same name, written by him and published in 1997. The film chronicles contemporary Irish life, and offers a portrait of tragedy, redemption, and love. Niall Williams wrote the screenplay to the movie. In his novel, a 12 year old boy was told by his father that he was determined to become a painter, and the father leaves his wife and son behind, with no income, so that he can paint.
This film is a lyrical, romantic story of follow-up events, in which Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Gabriel Byrne play an integral part of separate stories that are told. Fionn O’Shea plays the older Nicholas Coughlan, and Ann Skelly plays Isabel (Issy) Gore. Nicholas and Isabel are fated lovers destined to be with each other, and the power of love eventually pulls them together.
Isabel and Nicholas live on an island with Isabel’s father (Gabriel Byrne) and Isabel’s loving mother (Bonham Carter). A tragic accident occurs when Isabel’s younger brother Sean (Donal Finn) suddenly has a paralysing stroke that threatens his survival. This film integrates separate storylines and brings the novel of Niall Williams powerfully to the screen. Polly Steele, as Director, uses Irish locations (e.g., Donegal and Antrim) to provide scenic backdrops to sweeping narratives propelled by destiny, and she constantly cuts between present and past events that eventually re-connect. At the end of the film, Isabel Gore (Ann Skelly) reunites with Nicholas in a loving embrace. Her mother, Margaret Gore (Helena Carter) and Muiris Gore (Gabriel Byrne), cope as best they can after the tragic accident that affected Isabell’s brother, Sean.
The film pursues separate narratives over decades that relate to the lives of Isobel and Nicholas. Isabel desperately pursues life and love and is expelled from her school, but succumbs to a handsome man to whom fate ostensibly has linked her. Her mother (Bonham Carter) and Gabriel Byrne play an ageing couple, who are comfortable in the longevity of their union. Ann Skelly is a beguiling Isabel Gore and Fionn O’Shea impressively captures the anguish of Nicholas. Nicholas and Isabel are made for each other when Nicholas’ father (acted initially by Pierce Brosnan) shatters their life by informing them that God is telling him he must dedicate his future life to painting. Fate, however, eventually brings Isobel and Nicholas together.
Complex narratives in this film communicate the hidden meaning of the different stories that are told. The film is well acted, directed, and photographed. This is a deeply romantic love story, that offers challenging thoughts on what keeps a marriage alive, and the tragedy that can result when the wrong person is chosen.
Reviewed by Peter W. Sheehan, an Associate of Jesuit Media