The shimmering beauty of the west Irish countryside contrasts with the boredom and callousness of its inhabitants in this finely etched 2007 drama. Comedian Pat Shortt gives a strong performance as a middle-aged, mentally challenged man who works and bunks at a lonely gas station. Asked by the owner to train his girlfriend's 15-year-old son (Conor Ryan), the handyman reaches an understanding with the awkward teen—and then a misunderstanding, which threatens the fragile peace he maintains with his neighbors. Director Lenny Abrahamson develops characters in economical strokes and uses silences to speak volumes. 85 min.
By
Andrea Gronvall
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