Curapedi
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
FirstWitch
A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.
Donald Seymour
This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
Justina
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
weasl-729-310682
For a TV movie, this is a real winner.Gorgeous scenery, touching romance, examination of the avarice and evil of human nature and our redeeming qualities are all on offer. Bring your crying towel, because this will move you, and it is a romantic tragedy. The cinematography is way above average for TV fare. If you like water scenes and boats, like I do, you're in for a treat, but don't expect lavish yachts. No, this is a tale set in a simple and beautiful Irish fishing village with men who wrest their living from the sea.It has above average acting for TV, and I disagree with some of the other reviewers who have said that Scott Glenn didn't deliver. To the contrary, I thought his portrayal of a stricken widower deprived of his raison d'etre who we first see as a near recluse from society and then emerging from his hard shell of pain was very effective.I own this on VHS, and I love it more every time I watch it. It's a rare find, but if you do run across it, do yourself a favor and give it a watch if you go in for romantic tragedies.
bagrantham
The plot, characters and location really made me sit through the movie. The scenes of Ireland's landscape, cottages, ocean and people were depicted wonderfully. The harness of their work as a fishing town opened the movie as the minister prayed for the return of the fish. There was definitely chemistry. And guess what, though there were underlying hints of more it was never revealed and did not take away from the movie. It is a love story bundled with grief, pain, hurt, magic, betrayal and then unselfish sacrifice. It pulls at the heart strings. When I speak of magic or legend this is what makes the movie interesting as we all learn the story of how, when and consequences of returning or not...cannot give away too much. So watch the movie.
wuxmup
"The Seventh Stream" is beautifully filmed with a deeply romantic score and a story comes from the same vein of Irish folklore that inspired 1994's "Secret of Roan Inish," another good family movie but not, I think, quite as atmospheric or nearly as moving as "The Seventh Stream." Both films are based on the legend of the selkies - gray seals who sometimes take human form, come ashore and interact with humans. The production values are very superior for a made-for-cable flick.Saffron Burrows is nothing short of remarkable as the seal-woman. Viewers drugged by the over-the-top acting styles of so many movies may find her performance too subdued, too quiet, but that's their problem. Some kind of emotion is constantly flickering across her face, which is amazingly expressive. She's by turns mysterious, cold, curious, sultry, beautiful, vulnerable, weird - everything you'd expect to see in a seal-girl.In a less fascinating role, Scott Glenn too is convincing and sympathetic as the hardscrabble middle-aged fisherman to whom the selkie turns for help. There's a lot of talk about the human heart, none of it sappy. Aside from one or two minor cultural goofs that few will care about, the film depicts pretty plausibly life in an Irish fishing village a hundred years ago.There are also one or two minor directorial lapses. When fate deals unkindly with one of the characters, he cries out "Nooooooooooooooo!" in ultra slow-mo. Just like in The Simpsons and elsewhere. But the embarrassing moments take up about two minutes in total, and none is as bad as that.The rest of the film could hardly be improved on as a serious fairy tale for the whole family, unless your family is deeply into pro wrestling and stuff like that.One of the most moving fantasy films I've seen, definitely not sugary or maudlin, and not oozing with CGI. Check it out! I bet they were going to call it originally "The Seventh Seal," but found out that title was taken.
Brennan-8
At first, I thought this film was going to be a shameless copy of "The Secret of Roan Inish" but I'm glad I rode out the first few minutes of doubt. "The Seventh Stream" takes a different turn and becomes a satisfying little film in its own right. Particularly effective are the performances: Scott Glenn (who's getting to resemble John Hurt in his mature years) is moving as the lonely and dour widower Quinn, and Saffron Burrows is excellent as the selkie Mairead. Ms. Burrows is perfect for the role -- she's tall, stunning and has an unearthly quality about her that serves very well. Fiona Shaw, as always, is excellent as the unrequited admirer of Quinn.The film is also worth watching for the gorgeous west of Ireland scenery. The brooding and starkly beautiful landscape, accompanied by the understated musical score, create a distinctly Celtic mood.