A Shine of Rainbows

was so overwhelmed with this exquisitely filmed emotional picture that I had to wear my sunglasses home at 6:00 p.m. The cinematography is worth the price of admission. The Irish countryside and the vista left me aghast. The acting is superb. This is a tender loving story that will really tug at your heart strings.

11 year old John Bell is unbelievable as Tomas, a young orphan boy.

We first meet him in the orphanage where he is taunted by the other boys. He stutters and is quiet and withdrawn.

The exquisite Maire ( Danish film star Connie Nielsen) comes to the orphanage to adopt Tomas. She is beautiful and so loving and tender. Apparently she had to learn the Irish accent in a very short time. I could listen to her all day. She sounded beautiful and she looked exquisite. Her smile would comfort any child. She takes him home to an island off the coast of Ireland.

They live in a small cottage. It is obvious that they do not have many material things but the love that Maire gives to Tomas is unconditional. She teaches him to be self sufficient and she also inspires him to love the nature all around.

Maire’s husband, Alec, is not convinced that Tomas is the right choice. He wanted someone more masculine. Alec ignores him and cannot relate.

It is heartbreaking to see the interaction with Tomas and Alec. It is so beautiful to see the interaction between Maire and Tomas.

Alec and Maire are a happy loving couple. Gradually we see Tomas getting to love his new home and making friends with the neighbor children. If only Alec could warm up to him.

The cinematography is breathtaking. The children in the area go to the sea shore and investigate old wrecked forts. They observe the insects and the bats. Tomas befriends a seal that is marooned on shore. He is tender and loving to the seal and talks to it as a friend. They investigate old structures in the area and believe mythical stories about the area.

At first I almost felt embarrassed that I was watching a ‘kid’s story.” Not at all. It is an exquisite story well told about a young boy acclimatizing himself to his new surroundings. I shuddered every time the social worker came for a visit. I questioned whether Tomas would be able to stay because Alec had not signed the papers.

Maire becomes very ill and everything changes. It was heartbreaking and I wondered how the story would conclude.

Apparently the filmmaker has won awards in the past. He is Canadian.

The filming is impressive. The acting is impressive. The story is captivating. Just bring a lot of kleenex and your sunglasses.

This film has been playing for a few weeks so I suggest you plan to see it in the near future or you may miss the opportunity of watching this very special story.