By Sarah Ulanowicz
Song of the Sea is an animated film that reminds us, in the most beautiful way possible, of our own personal strengths that manifest in the name of reuniting a family.
This is the second film by Academy Award-nominated director of The Secret of Kells, Tomm Moore. Song of the Sea follows the course of a boy named Ben and his little sister Saoirse (along with their loyal dog named Cu) next to the sea of Ireland as they deal with grief and love through the lens of Celtic mythology. Their mother is a Silke, an Irish mermaid that takes the form of a seal that can change to human form once on land after shedding her seal coat. When Saoirse is born, Ben must face the loss of his mother's mysterious leave on the same night.
The film tackles the tough situation of losing a parent and the tension it creates between family members; Ben's father spends most of the film gazing out at sea where he last saw his wife, Ben holds hostility in the form of annoyance toward Saoirse, and their Grandmother continues to try and convince the family to move to the city. Although these layers form multiple conflicts, Moore makes sure to give each character genuine reason in wanting what's best for one another. Every choice that is made comes from a place with justification; there are no true villains in Song of the Sea, only characters that believe what they're doing is right.
Ben’s adventure in saving Saoirse and the once make-believe world of fairies is told in the soothing voice of a bed time story; one that makes you crave something hot to drink under a warm blanket. Moore animates in a way that creates so many layers for the eye to watch, making you wish to see the movie again immediately just to catch everything. The slow moving pace of some scenes is reminiscent of lingering on a children's story book page in order to savor every detail, seen best in the underwater trip where Saoirse finds her coat and plays with the local seals.
Song of the Sea captivates its audience in the gentle progression of a family journey in healing each other’s wounds. There are all sides of the phrase "family protection" and the in depth exploration each one. In the end, Song of the Sea is an enchanting tale of a boy and his dog, a family mixed into the world of fantasy, and the strength that comes out of hardships.