At The Movies: Four Letters Of Love

Adapted from Niall Williams’ international best-seller of the same name, this is a story of two young people on opposite sides of Ireland who, through tragedy, bad decisions, destiny and fate are drawn together.

In the opening dialogue, we hear Nicholas Coughlan saying that it was because of the artist and a painting of her island, looking from the coast, that “I found you and the meaning of my life”.

In Dublin, William Coughlin (Pierce Brosnan), believing he has been given a signal of divine revelation, walks out on his mundane civil servant job to tell his wife that he is going to make a living as an artist. He soon decides that to get the inspiration he desires, he must leave home for the west coast of Ireland – not knowing when he will return. His stunned wife and son, Nicholas ((Fionn O’Shea) to fend for themselves!

Meanwhile, on the other side of Ireland, on an island off the ruggedly beautiful west coast, Isobel Gore (Ann Skelly) and her brother Sean (Dónal Finn) are out exploring when Sean suffers a tragic accident that leaves him wheelchair-bound. Isobel is being sent to school in a convent by her parents Margaret (Helena Bonham Carter) and poet Muiris (Gabriel Byrne). Her rebellious nature sees her sneaking out and striking up a friendship with Peadar (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo).

Back in Dublin, William returns home unexpectedly but is met with personal tragedy and again departs for the west coast. Unknowingly, Nicholas follows him and, getting off the same bus, meets eyes briefly with Isobel who is visiting home again briefly. Father and son soon bond while William paints and Nicholas writes poetry, then they return home to Dublin.

It is only through tragic circumstances that, sometime later, Nicholas returns to the west coast. Fate puts him in contact with Isobel but, through her bad decisions, is out of Nicholas’ reach. That’s where Four Letters of Love come into play but with a protective and interfering mother providing roadblocks.

You will have to go and see this movie to see how it plays out. The story is a good one and it is magnificently filmed, capturing the beauty and ruggedness of Ireland’s stunning west coast.

Movie Review by John Glennie

Screening in Palace & Events Cinemas nationally
Rating: M
Runtime: 109 minutes