This year marks the 30th anniversary of Ron Howard’s Far and Away. Yes, this film was derided by critics, but you can’t deny that the film has outstanding cinematography and soundtrack. I watched the movie because of Enya and The Chieftains-for those reasons alone. I felt the film was too long, but it has impressive shots of Ireland and Oklahoma. If you love movies that look beautiful and do not overwhelm you, then this is the film to watch. It also gives you a good impression of how America came to be.
Ron Howard made fascinating films after.
The music: The movie boasts a fantastic soundtrack. I like John Williams, and his work with Superman and the magic is present in this movie. I think the film would have been so bland without Enya and the Chieftains. I love the soundtrack that I bought the record when it was released in the 90s. And I love listening to it again and again.
The first time I heard this song was in the movie Switch starring Ellen Barkin and Perry King…somewhere around 1991 I think. From then on I searched for this Clannad track until I found a compilation album containing this beautiful song. I was a big fan of Paul Young as a kid and it was a surprise to discover this beautiful duet with Moya Brennan. Switch is a movie about the womanizer(played by King with a preference for blonds) who dies and as a punishment he is sent back to earth as woman(Barkin) . I remember having big laughs with this movie.
Lyrics – Both Sides Now (Duet With Paul Young)
Originally composed by Joni Mitchell and popularized by Judy Collins (Wildflowers album)
Rolls and flows of angel hair,
Ice cream castles in the air,
Feather canyons everywhere,
I’ve looked at clouds that way.
But now they only block the sun.
They rain, they snow on everyone.
So many things I would’ve done
But clouds got in my way.
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down and still somehow
It’s clouds’ illusions I recall.
I really don’t know clouds at all.
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels,
The dizzy, dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real.
I’ve looked at love that way.
But now it’s just another show.
Leave ’em laughin’ when you go.
But if you care, don’t let em’ know
Don’t give yourself away.
I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions I recall.
I really don’t know love at all.
Tears and fears and feeling proud,
Say ‘I love you’ right out loud.
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange.
They shake their heads and say I’ve changed.
But something’s lost when somethings gained
Living everyday.
I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall.
I really don’t know life at all.
Selkies are mythical creatures who, once in a while shed off their seal skins and become human . Sometimes a selkie falls in love with a mortal man. But husband would always look out for her. If a mortal buries her seal skin then she cannot return to the sea.
Such a myth surrounds this heart warming movie directed by Neil Jordan( Interview with the Vampire). This story is very Irish and it has all the cinematography you would expect. It stars Colin Farrel as the fisherman who one day found a mysterious woman by the name of Ondine caught in his net. She sings to him and brings him good luck. But is Ondine really a selkie? Or the other truth is not as attractive as the truth you wish to hear.
Celtic Music Fan 