Unbeknownst to her mother, O\u2019Hara\u2019s \u201cGrand\u201d escorted her to the try-outs for a prestigious culinary summer school. When the snobby judges fail to appreciate her unconventional inspiration, her grandmother gives them an earful. Maybe it takes too much out of her, because later that night, the O\u2019Hara family must rush Emer to the hospital. Unfortunately, Dr. Patel fears she has little time left.
For young Mary, the news comes as a double blow, since her best friend will also soon relocate to England. However, a strange woman has a knack for consoling her. In fact, the mysterious Tansey claims to be a friend of her grandmother, even though Mary never met her before. They certainly have similar tastes, considering Tansey knows the secret ingredient Mary needs to cook her grandmother\u2019s favorite dish, colcannon, a sort of Irish mashed potatoes made with cabbage, or in Emer\u2019s case, kale.<\/p>\r\n
If you like the review, share your thoughts below!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/A-Greyhound-of-a-Girl1.png\")
@Courtesy of GFM Animation\u00a0
Scarlett O\u2019Hara assumes Tansey must be an imaginary friend, but most viewers will have a better ghostly guess. D\u2019Alo\u2019s goal is not to surprise or shock. His adaptation of Doyle\u2019s novel, co-written with Dave Ingham, is a warm, delicately bittersweet story of multi-generational reconciliation (as well as human-canine reconciliation), told with a healthy dose of [animated] magical realism. This is definitely a tale of mothers and daughters, even though O\u2019Hara\u2019s father is also an affectionate and engaged parent. Even her knuckleheaded brothers are decent kids.
Indeed, A Greyhound of a Girl<\/strong> deserves to become a staple for mother\u2019s days. The animated figures (designed by Peter De Seve<\/a>) are a bit \u201ccartoony,\u201d but in an endearing way. On the other hand, the backgrounds (designed by Thomas Von Kummant)<\/a> are truly lovely, especially the lush country landscapes. Fittingly, the film\u2019s color palate features many rich shades of green, but Mary\u2019s dream sequences\u2014flashbacks to her grandmother\u2019s childhood, as seen through the eyes of her misunderstood pet greyhound\u2014are starkly realized in a charcoal-like semi-abstract style.
D’Alo remains better known in Europe than America, thanks to his hit film Lucky and Zorba<\/strong> and a popular TV adaptation of the long-running Italian comic strip, Pimpa<\/strong>. Yet, he shows a nice affinity for the inherent Irishness of Doyle\u2019s source novel. David Rhodes\u2019 upbeat, lilting score further reinforces the Gaelic vibes. Rhodes also co-wrote several original songs with Doyle that are quite catchy.
Brendan Gleeson brings the old Irish charm as Papa Paddy, while Mia O\u2019Connor nicely expresses the heightened drama of adolescence Mary so keenly feels. Rosaleen Linehan sounds like nurturing personified as Emer. The entire voiceover cast captures the humanity of Doyle\u2019s story, but perhaps the richest vocal performance comes from Sharon Horgan as Mary\u2019s no-nonsense mother, who eventually opens her mind to more spiritual possibilities. (Plus, look for Doyle himself in an aptly bookish \u201ccameo.\u201d)
This is a gentle film, but it connects in big, possibly even therapeutic ways. Its subject matter is appropriate for all ages, including grown-ups, who should appreciate the distinctive score and the wise and wistful way it portrays a family facing impending mortality. Highly recommended, A Greyhound of a Girl<\/strong> releases this Friday (11\/1).<\/p>\r\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/A-Greyhound-of-a-Girl2.png\")
@Courtesy of GFM Animation\u00a0
Grade: A-<\/p>\r\n