A Shine of Rainbows (2010)

A Shine of Rainbows is directed by Vic Sarin, is written by Vic Sarin, Catherine Spear and Dennis Foon, is based on the novel by Lillian Beckwith. The film stars Aidan Quinn, Connie Nielsen and John Bell.Tomas(John Bell)is a young orphan who is adopted by Marie(Connie Nielsen), she is an outgoing and fun woman and slowly begins to draw this shy and timid boy out of his shell. She takes him back to her home on a small island of the coast of Ireland.Marie's husband Alec(Aidan Quinn)is disappointed in Tomas because he's so shy and he can't hide it for the boys sake. Alec appears tough and stern but is a really kind and gentle man, he loves Marie so much and tries to build a relationship with Tomas. For the first time in his life Tomas finds he is happy. Then tragedy strikes the family and everything changes.John Bell gives an extraordinary performance given how young he is, he really makes you feel for Tomas and make you want him to have a happy ending. Connie Nielsen is superb as the loving mother, she puts a smile on your face. Aidan Quinn has a much tougher role, he has to appear mean but also make us see that he isn't, he is a more introverted man and only shows his real self when he's alone with Marie, his performance is quite subtle and is one of his best.The film has beautiful locations and photography and is a moving and funny film.

A shy, stuttering 8-year-old boy moves from the orphanage he's lived in since the death of his grandmother to an Irish island with his adoptive, free-spirited woman and her cold, silent husband. The story that unfolds is about both the boy and the husband coming out of their shells and learning to express and value what's important in their lives.THE GOOD: The performances of every single actor in the film stand out. Particularly the child actors do an extraordinary job. The emotional fabric of the film is wonderful. You have to be touched if you have any emotions at all! The cinematography is jaw-dropping-gorgeous, owing mostly to the beautiful Irish setting.THE BAD: There's no way around the simplicity of the script; you know everything that's going to happen long, long before it actually happens. In most films, this would be crippling; however, here it doesn't really matter because the story's about the characters, not the plot.THE VERDICT: Heart-warming, beautiful, emotional, and family-friendly. You should most certainly watch this.

I LOVED this love story. Its rare that a movie fully captures the love of a parent and child so fully but this one did. I caught it on cable the other day and did not expect to be so moved.The actor who plays Tomas is simply astounding. His eyes convey more emotion than any adult actor I've seen in the last year. Connie Nielson, who I've only seen in Gladiator and LO-SVU, is gloriously heartbreaking in her maternal love. Aiden Quinn is excellent as the Dad who was expecting another type of child. There is not a false note in the entire movie. While the plot had no real surprises, the unfolding of the story was just beautiful. As an added bonus, the countryside is breathtaking. Highly recommend this film.

I saw this film in December, of 2009 in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.Tomas is a young boy that is bullied and unhappy at an orphanage. He is suddenly and mysteriously adopted by a childless couple, who live simply and modestly on a very remote Irish island. The Mother, although in ill health, is a woman of astounding positive energy and beauty and sets herself to healing the mental and physical scars of the boy's unfortunate upbringing. The Father meanwhile loves his wife dearly, but is far less excited by the recovering, damaged boy.Intertwined with this awkward triangle relationship is light fantasy and legend and mystery of the gorgeous Irish coast. The Irish coast is so beautifully rendered that it is like a fourth character.There is suddenly a great change in circumstances and two parts of the triangle have to come to terms with this tragedy. It takes courage and resolve and change and love.The three actors of the triangle are vivid and hold your attention and each ultimately moves you emotionally in three different ways.FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.