Writer/director Neil Jordan proves himself unclear on the concept of magical realism.
Half inspired by John Sayles' far superior 1993 film "The Secret of Roan Inish," Jordan sets up a tale about a sheepish Irish fisherman and divorced father named Syracuse (Colin Farrell) who pulls from the sea what he is led to believe is a Selkie mermaid named Ondine (Alicja Bachelda).
The name comes from a German myth about a sea goddess who cursed her human mate for infidelity. Ondine seems to bring the recovered alcoholic Syracuse luck with his fishing, and inspires the curiosity of his 10-year-old handicapped daughter Annie (Alison Barry), who sees the world through Alice-in-Wonderland eyes.
Neil Jordan fills the story with slipknot clichés such as a local priest (played by Jordan film regular Stephen Rea) to whom Syracuse gives obligatory confessions.
Unfortunately, the story's third act reversal negates any aura of fantasy that has kept the audience hanging on in the hope of some enchanted payoff.
Rated PG-13. 104 mins.
