After a tragedy, teenager Claire is brought to an coastal fishing village, which based on the closing credits must have been in Nova Scotia. Her mother Fiona has split up with Claire's father Max (who is not seen, though there is a phone conversation when the phone actually works). They are staying with Uncle Pete, and Claire hates being cut off from the world. In flashbacks, she is shown playing the violin with an orchestra of some sort, and she seems to like one of the boys in the orchestra. She brings the violin with her and does play once. A reference is made to the family living in Berlin, and the closing credits do refer to Berlin, Germany, but no one in this movie has an accent that would suggest they are German. I thought maybe these people were Scottish or Irish.
One day while swimming in the ocean, Claire sees a package. It turns out to be a manuscript of a story by Celia, a cranky old woman. At first, Celia seems to want nothing to do with anyone else, but when Claire expresses an interest in the story, and this makes Celia happy. As Celia tells the story, we see it happen. Claire seems to cheer up whenever she visits Celia, but otherwise she remains quite bitter.
A baby is born to Rose, the first baby of the fishing season, in a village that is one of the best places anywhere for fishermen. The people wonder if this baby will be "the one," as if she is something evil. The baby is baptized, and yet still people behave as if she is evil.
Silly, the little girl, helps the fishermen out. She appears to be a hard worker. And shortly before she turns 16, she is pretty but quite a tomboy and certainly rough-natured. This must have been a family movie because surely such a girl in real life would have used language nice girls shouldn't hear, but Silly is almost G-rated. Almost.
And then it happens. Every 50 years since the Vikings arrived nearly a thousand years earlier (probably not counting the years after the Vikings gave up on this place), there has been some sort of tragic death, and the fish have disappeared. It is called "the curse". The people are ready to give up, but Silly believes the fish will come back.
After she steals the doctor's boat and wrecks it, Silly must go to work for the doctor, who also rents out rooms, to pay him back. He is a stern and demanding taskmaster, yet Silly continues with her attitude. Then comes the day a large ship docks in the community. Admiral Griggs wants to build a military base which would require changes that would put an end to fishing, even if the fish would have come back. Based on the date on a tombstone, all of this is taking place shortly after World War II. The admiral, his spoiled wife, and their handsome son James stay with the doctor, and Silly must tend to their every need. Actually, James stays in a tent on the beach, but Silly doesn't mind taking care of him, if you know what I mean.
There are parallels to the present day. On the radio, it is announced that once again fishing has ended in this town and developers want to take over and make the community prosperous again.
And Claire and Silly are both teens who are rebellious and misunderstood, who have had difficulties in their love life.
Kirsten Dunst is the real reason to watch this movie. She does such a wonderful job, and of course her looks add something, even if her appearance isn't consistent with her character's background. I wouldn't have even known Lynn Regrave, but I guess she is getting up in years. She too gives a very good performance. And Brent Carver is quite good as Silly's frustrated father. I will say everyone with a leading role does a good job.
I liked the traditional music at a dance.
Overall, I found this movie depressing. I was glad there were some pleasant scenes and even some humor, but this movie is probably intended for women or girls who "enjoy a good cry." That isn't me. I was particularly distressed with the progress of Claire's character. But if you are someone who keeps a supply of Kleenex for your favorite movies, and you enjoy stories about life on the coast where civilization hasn't quite caught up, this is a good choice.
One day while swimming in the ocean, Claire sees a package. It turns out to be a manuscript of a story by Celia, a cranky old woman. At first, Celia seems to want nothing to do with anyone else, but when Claire expresses an interest in the story, and this makes Celia happy. As Celia tells the story, we see it happen. Claire seems to cheer up whenever she visits Celia, but otherwise she remains quite bitter.
A baby is born to Rose, the first baby of the fishing season, in a village that is one of the best places anywhere for fishermen. The people wonder if this baby will be "the one," as if she is something evil. The baby is baptized, and yet still people behave as if she is evil.
Silly, the little girl, helps the fishermen out. She appears to be a hard worker. And shortly before she turns 16, she is pretty but quite a tomboy and certainly rough-natured. This must have been a family movie because surely such a girl in real life would have used language nice girls shouldn't hear, but Silly is almost G-rated. Almost.
And then it happens. Every 50 years since the Vikings arrived nearly a thousand years earlier (probably not counting the years after the Vikings gave up on this place), there has been some sort of tragic death, and the fish have disappeared. It is called "the curse". The people are ready to give up, but Silly believes the fish will come back.
After she steals the doctor's boat and wrecks it, Silly must go to work for the doctor, who also rents out rooms, to pay him back. He is a stern and demanding taskmaster, yet Silly continues with her attitude. Then comes the day a large ship docks in the community. Admiral Griggs wants to build a military base which would require changes that would put an end to fishing, even if the fish would have come back. Based on the date on a tombstone, all of this is taking place shortly after World War II. The admiral, his spoiled wife, and their handsome son James stay with the doctor, and Silly must tend to their every need. Actually, James stays in a tent on the beach, but Silly doesn't mind taking care of him, if you know what I mean.
There are parallels to the present day. On the radio, it is announced that once again fishing has ended in this town and developers want to take over and make the community prosperous again.
And Claire and Silly are both teens who are rebellious and misunderstood, who have had difficulties in their love life.
Kirsten Dunst is the real reason to watch this movie. She does such a wonderful job, and of course her looks add something, even if her appearance isn't consistent with her character's background. I wouldn't have even known Lynn Regrave, but I guess she is getting up in years. She too gives a very good performance. And Brent Carver is quite good as Silly's frustrated father. I will say everyone with a leading role does a good job.
I liked the traditional music at a dance.
Overall, I found this movie depressing. I was glad there were some pleasant scenes and even some humor, but this movie is probably intended for women or girls who "enjoy a good cry." That isn't me. I was particularly distressed with the progress of Claire's character. But if you are someone who keeps a supply of Kleenex for your favorite movies, and you enjoy stories about life on the coast where civilization hasn't quite caught up, this is a good choice.