A Shine Of Rainbows

As rare as a double rainbow, this is an old-fashioned family film about the transformational power of love. Young Tomas is a red-headed Dublin orphan, a stutterer who's teased mercilessly by the other boys. One day, as if by magic, Maire O'Donnell, a beautiful lady in a whirl of color, arrives to whisk him off to a new home on remote Corrie Island. Maire shares with Tomas the joys of her island home: the secret of the seals, the mystery of the stone giant, and the magic all around him, if only he looks closely enough. At the same time, Maire's stern husband Alec silently disapproves of Tomas's timidity and halting speech. Soon, though, Tomas too is in love with his island, befriending local children, descending into a secret bat-filled cove, and saving a stranded baby seal. When tragedy strikes, Tomas must remember Maire's teachings and seek joy and color in even the darkest place. A SHINE OF RAINBOWS features sparkling performances by Connie Nielson, Aidan Quinn, and newcomer John Bell. But most magical of all are the sweeping landscapes of the Irish coast. –B.B.