A Shine of Rainbows (2009) User Reviews

Beautiful and touching.

[chrisroberts-5 · 8/10 · 5 July 2015]

A shy, stuttering 8-year-old boy moves from the orphanage he's lived in since the death of his grandmother to an Irish island with his adoptive, free-spirited woman and her cold, silent husband. The story that unfolds is about both the boy and the husband coming out of their shells and learning to express and value what's important in their lives.

THE GOOD: The performances of every single actor in the film stand out. Particularly the child actors do an extraordinary job. The emotional fabric of the film is wonderful. You have to be touched if you have any emotions at all! The cinematography is jaw-dropping-gorgeous, owing mostly to the beautiful Irish setting.

THE BAD: There's no way around the simplicity of the script; you know everything that's going to happen long, long before it actually happens. In most films, this would be crippling; however, here it doesn't really matter because the story's about the characters, not the plot.

THE VERDICT: Heart-warming, beautiful, emotional, and family-friendly. You should most certainly watch this.

Double rainbows of Corrie Island

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 24 January 2011]

There are people in this world with what could be called "hearts of gold". One such person is Mary O'Donnell, the attractive woman who is unable to have children. Adoption is her way of sharing her love with the child she could not have. When she visits the orphanage, Mary falls in love with Tomas, a young boy with an unhappy look in his face.

The arrival in Corrie is not exactly what Mary was expecting. Her husband, Alec, does not know how to deal with the boy. Mary shows incredible patience with Tomas, as she tries to acquaint him with the new home. She takes him to the beach where she teaches the boy how to call the seals that populate the waters nearby. Mary promises that by whispering to these animals, they have the power to bring whatever messages are trusted to them to the right persons. Tomas realizes how much he owes to Mary; he wants to call her 'mom', something that brings happiness to her.

Unfortunately, happiness is short lived because Mary is a sick woman. She has to be taken to the hospital. Tomas' heart is broken because losing Mary will only mean one thing, he will be returned to the orphanage and his old life again. Little does he know that Alec learns to accept him, and eventually love him as his own son.

The film is directed by Vic Sarin, who also contributed with Catherine Spear and Dennis Foon to the adaptation of the novel by Lillian Beckwith. It is a feel good movie in spite of the tragedy Tomas experiences at such a young age. The message is basically how love given to a complete stranger can transform people in such a positive way. While Tomas seems to be the one that has to gain the most, it is his adoptive father Alec the ones that benefits because the love Mary brought to the situation.

Connie Nielsen makes a wonderful Mary O'Donnell. Ms. Nielsen is a welcome addition to any film in which she graces with her personality. Aidan Quinn spends most of the film being in a foul mood as he cannot accept the presence of a stranger in his own home. The boy actor John Bell appears to be a natural. The setting of Corrie island adds another layer to the film. The gorgeous photography by its director Vic Sarin is a pleasure to watch. Keith Porter contributed with the musical score.

Nice Film

[paddyaugust · 8/10 · 22 March 2011]

Watched this film recently and it was hugely uplifting The setting is beautiful and Connie Nilesen is very good Aiden Quinn gives a good performance and is brilliant actor and the film is very moving in parts especially the grief he goes through after the death of his beloved wife i would highly recommend as a family film a good surprise

The film starts off with a boy who's bullied in an orphanage and you hope his life improves and the entering of an adoptive mother and transport to an island improves his life

the supporting cast are good and the scenery is spectacular

i enjoyed the extras on the DVDs especially the making of the film

You need to be heartless not to love this film!

[OliverGbyrne · 13 August 2011]

Yes , Vic Sarin's "A Shine of rainbows" is a rather predictable film.A brief synopsis of the film would be..A shy young boy (John Bell) get adopted by a beautiful and kind hearted woman (The beautiful Connie Nielsen) ,she loves him ,her husband (Aidan Quinn) is disappointed that the boy seems too fragile , they have a hard time connecting until a turn of event makes them realize they need each other. ..But predictable in this case is not such a bad thing when it is so well directed,acted and overall put together. The threesome of main actors are just perfectly cast. John Bell as Tomás is particularly touching , you seriously root for the kid and from the first scene you automatically care for the character , he gives an outstanding performance for his young age. Connie Nielsen as Maire is mesmerizing , she embodies the sort of woman men dreams of having as a wife and children dreams of having as a mother and Aidan Quinn deliver a strong and subtle performance as Alec. The stories pulls all you heartstrings without ever feeling like it's trying too hard to moves the audience.All the emotions on display in that films comes naturally,there is nothing calculated about it and thank the lord that stops the film from ending up like a lifetime TV movie of the week with a bigger budget. The only negative point I would give the film is the baby Seal Tomas befriend, it is quite obvious its a robot and those scenes are distracting and feel out of place but thankfully those scenes are shorts and do not in any way ruin the rest of the film. What I am shocked is how little fanfare this film has received , by the time I write this review only six other reviews were posted...six!! I am sad that a beautiful family film like this one who came out a couple of years ago don't get noticed as it should when films like "The smurfs" who were just out in the cinemas seems to be the talk of all IMDb, as moviegoers gone insane? I could not recommend this films more , it deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.It's a little gem!

Works well, even with flaws

[sunergos · 7/10 · 3 May 2013]

Tomas is a young orphan who is rescued from a drab church orphanage in Ireland by a 'rainbow' in the form of Maire (Connie Neilsen) who takes him to live with her and her husband on a small island of the coast of Ireland with a view to the couple adopting him permanently.

We are spared the most of cruelties that Tomas must have suffered in the orphanage (this film steers completely clear of the clerical abuses suffered by many children in Ireland's church-run institutions of the period).

If Maire is a rainbow to Tomas, her husband Alec (Aidan Quinn), a decent but surly man, is a storm cloud. He doesn't warm to the boy, as Tomas falls short of his expectations. Throughout the film, chinks of light shine through the cloud as it seems Alec is warming to Tomas, but the cloud soon moves over again...

There are many emotional moments in the film, from the outset. Overall, it works very well, and ends on a high note, though there is much heart- wrenching in between. Slightly off-putting for me was Tomas' accent, which sounds Scottish rather than Irish, as well as my perception that the emerging acting talents of the young John Bell (Tomas) didn't seem quite capable of delivering with as much naturalness as I would have expected.

A moving and compelling film.

Truly Moving Picture

[tollini · 10/10 · 5 January 2010]

I saw this film in December, of 2009 in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.

Tomas is a young boy that is bullied and unhappy at an orphanage. He is suddenly and mysteriously adopted by a childless couple, who live simply and modestly on a very remote Irish island. The Mother, although in ill health, is a woman of astounding positive energy and beauty and sets herself to healing the mental and physical scars of the boy's unfortunate upbringing. The Father meanwhile loves his wife dearly, but is far less excited by the recovering, damaged boy.

Intertwined with this awkward triangle relationship is light fantasy and legend and mystery of the gorgeous Irish coast. The Irish coast is so beautifully rendered that it is like a fourth character.

There is suddenly a great change in circumstances and two parts of the triangle have to come to terms with this tragedy. It takes courage and resolve and change and love.

The three actors of the triangle are vivid and hold your attention and each ultimately moves you emotionally in three different ways.

FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.

Enjoyable and Simple

[pc95 · 7/10 · 7 November 2011]

Directed by Vic Sarin, "A Shine Of Rainbows" is a relaxing and simple movie to watch. I enjoyed the characters despite supposed Irish accents clearly coming in-and-out. Nevermind that though, the movie has a great natural and vibrant setting in an Isle (presumably off Ireland) in which the 3 main characters come together and learn to live and get along together. I enjoyed the stunning scenery and the innocent and mostly uncynical dialog that was put forth. It's not completely clear what day and age the movie set in - although with vehicles and all, it looks like it's intending 50 years prior or so. Without completely spoiling what takes place, suffice it to say that the story has been done before and maybe more competently, but nonetheless it is recommended.

A very moving film

[pandey-gauri · 10/10 · 3 May 2010]

I saw this one last night. This is a gut-wrenchingly, poignant movie. Really glad I stumbled across this one in my DVD collection. Word of caution though, watch it with a hanky at hand!I was sobbing half way through it and am glad there was nobody around to catch me in the middle of my sob-fest. And the little boy- such a fine performance I was astounded. I don't want to spoil it for you, but it's a story about a little orphaned boy and his adoptive family. Very fine exploration of the nuances of human nature. But more than that, it is a story about love.

I thoroughly recommend watching this one, but it's not a date movie though.

nice little movie

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 3 June 2018]

Tomás (John Bell) is a shy, stuttering orphan bullied by the other kids. He is adopted by Maire (Connie Nielsen) but her husband Alec (Aidan Quinn) is reluctant. They live in an isolated farm house on remote Corrie Island, Ireland. Alec has yet to sign the adoption papers. They find an abandoned baby seal and Tomás takes care of it.

This has a nice quiet charm but it's lacking in drama. There is no tension in the story. These are perfectly nice characters. It needs a hurdle but the only hurdle exists in Alec. That's not enough unless the movie intends to make him a villain. There are slight attempts at magical realism. While they are nice, they are not big enough to be awesome. This is a nice little movie but not much more.

a 10 on ALL counts

[sundisilver · 10/10 · 3 March 2012]

I give this movie a "10" on the cinematography alone, but it's so much more than that. The story is heartwarming, directing is perfect, acting is superb (even young John Bell in what is likely his first role), and the musical score is worth purchasing on its own. Loved every piece of it.

The story centers around an orphan (Bell) who is adopted by a beautiful and 'colorful' Irish woman (Connie Nielson, an actress new to me but I will definitely look for her again) and her reluctant husband (Quinn, an A-list actor who never ever disappoints) and whisked off to picturesque Corrie Island in County Donegal. The film tugs at your heart without being maudlin or without even a hint at 'over-acting,' so common in movies about orphans. (Kudos to the director.)

I cannot recommend this film highly enough and am shocked that I had never heard of it before renting it on a lark.

Rainbow Love

[brooklyn-gilmore · 7/10 · 12 September 2012]

If you're looking for a feel good film, "A Shine of Rainbows" (2009) maybe right up your alley. Pop the lid off the Midol, swallow a couple of capsules, put on your stretchy sweat pants allowing room for the bloat, dig out the heating pad, lay on the couch and pull up "A Shine of Rainbows" on your Instant Queue playlist on Netflix and let the tears roll. It's a real feel-good experience. (Hopefully, your significant other won't view it as another one of your bawling shows).

Maire O'Donnell (Connie Nielson) is a happy go-lucky, colorful, free spirited woman who adopts ten-year-old Tomas from an orphanage, and takes him to her home on Corrie Island, off the coast of Ireland. Once Tomas arrives, he must learn to adapt to his surroundings on the island, learn to make friends with children his age regardless of his inability to speak without stuttering, and win the heart of Maire's husband, Alec (Aidan Quinn) in order to stay on the island. Alec silently disapproves of Tomas' timidness and stutter, which causes friction between Maire and Alec.

Maire's positive, vibrant, and warm personality teaches Tomas everything that he needs to know lies within himself--all he has to do search within. When tragedy strikes, Tomas digs deep to find solace with nature and with himself. Tomas is convinced that love exists when he experiences the beauty of an exploded rainbow and the magic that it holds.

"A Shine of Rainbows won" the Heartland Film Festival Award. The message in "A Shine of Rainbows" is powerfully intoxicating, devastatingly sad, and realistically rewarding displaying array of hope in the most tragic of circumstances. This film touches the heart inside out, leaving the viewer with a trail of tears and a deeper meaning about the magic of love.

Great actors, simple story

[Buildman · 8/10 · 28 January 2012]

Very sweet film that reunites Aiden Quinn and Connie Nielsen after their smoking "Return to Sender". Quinn is perfect as Alec O'Donnell, Irish countryman, who can't hide his disappointment in the timid boy whom his angelic wife brings home from the orphanage. He and Nielsen are very tight, but the main interaction of the story is between the beautiful and self-giving Maire and the very needy boy, Tomas, exquisitely played by John Bell. Under her loving grace he blossoms and learns to accept himself and to live a joyful life, but will he and Alec be able to stick together if Maire goes away?

Connie Nielsen is one of the most beautiful and gifted actresses working, and effortlessly fills this sugary roll with no false notes. For contrast see her sullen Charlotte in Return to Sender.

its a love story!

[davyd-02237 · 6/10 · 27 December 2019]

However, that said, I wouldn't call this entertainment. A small boy growing up in a catholic orphanage, clearly has a problem with men, which isn't likely to be surprising given what the so called men of the cloth used to get up to! A woman comes along to adopt the little boy and it develops from there. The "winners" are the child who play the boy and the scenery, some of which is northern Ireland (shots of glenluce). you may not watch this more than once and Im trying to avoid "spoilers" but its quite different from most films that have been on this Christmas and there are solid performances within it

A Shine of Rainbows: A film to keep in darkness.

[cplosia · 5/10 · 4 May 2010]

During a previewed screening of this film the only shine throughout the whole movie was that of the light that burst through the door as I opened it mid-way the films screening as I left the theater. The film started with a boy in an orphanage and we as viewers are given the impression that he is unhappy; like anyone in an orphanage is. He is then adopted by a woman and taken to her home on an island off the Irish Sea. The rest of what I saw of the film is complete dribble and carries no interesting plot development. Aidan Quinn plays the husband and foster father to this boy. He is bitter and seems to dislike the boy. The mother is chipper and excited for the boy, although we find out that she has medical issues that will enviably lead to her death. This tear-jerking Irish film gets two-thumbs down! It is boring and poorly acted. I feel more pain and sadness for the viewers of this film than the characters in it.

Ireland has a way of making dramas endearing like nowhere else.

[JohnRayPeterson · 8/10 · 14 April 2011]

This is a feel good movie if ever I had to describe one. Yep, it will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling at the end and might even make you more cordial towards others for a day or so. If this sounds way different than other reviews of this movie, it's not because I'm being cynical or trying to be funny; I'm not. This movie type requires a building of good feeling followed by a sudden very sad tragic event so that the redeeming third phase can effectively lift your spirit through a positive 'good can come from bad situation'; it's classic and it's a tried and true formula.

The movie is as close to a fairytale as a definitively not fairytale can be. Connie Nielsen is the best looking adoptive mother you'll ever see and plays an ideal loving wife. I was envious of Aidan Quinn who plays Nielsen's husband, but only for a while because, hey, it's just a movie. So you get that Nielsen is charming as hell. Read the storyline and you'll get an idea of what you can potentially be watching, assuming you haven't yet seen the flick. Luckily, Nielsen's character dies before the abundance of sweetness she spreads turns you into a diabetic. Yea, that bit is a little cynical and perhaps funny to some. Don't get me wrong, I love Nielsen as an overly optimist character because it's just what the young boy she's adopted needed, unfortunately it renders the middle of the movie utterly predictable; as previously commented, she dies. This may sound odd but her heart of gold character in this movie made me have a flashback moment to another character, very nice contrast, she played in "Devil's Advocate". Sorry about that; I write it like I feel it.

The end of the movie is pretty much predictable but you'll watch it anyway to see Quinn's smile one time before the credits start rolling; the true reason you will is because you will have come to the realisation, by then, that it's a good movie well acted. The part of the movie that, to me, makes it stand out from other movies with more or less similar story lines is that the adoptive boy, very well played by John Bell, deals with the death of his adoptive mom not like what movies are suppose to show but like the character would react if he was real. That grieving period for the boy is not a quickie scene or two but full part of the movie; it is at the core of the movie's message and it required Bell to do some acting you won't see too many actors his age deliver (best I've seen). If you need to get back in the good graces of your wife or girlfriend, or if you just need a girlfriend to warm up to you a little by showing your sensitive side, bring her to see this movie or rent it for the occasion; telling her it was depressing or boring would be a very bad idea. Resist speaking; take out the tissues and snuggle up close.

Beautiful love story

[dancerupstairs · 17 November 2011]

I LOVED this love story. Its rare that a movie fully captures the love of a parent and child so fully but this one did. I caught it on cable the other day and did not expect to be so moved.The actor who plays Tomas is simply astounding. His eyes convey more emotion than any adult actor I've seen in the last year. Connie Nielson, who I've only seen in Gladiator and LO-SVU, is gloriously heartbreaking in her maternal love. Aiden Quinn is excellent as the Dad who was expecting another type of child. There is not a false note in the entire movie. While the plot had no real surprises, the unfolding of the story was just beautiful. As an added bonus, the countryside is breathtaking. Highly recommend this film.

How can a film be so simple, yet so movingly enjoyable ?

[michaelt281702085 · 10/10 · 29 February 2012]

Please don't read this review if you don't want to know any small details from this film.

It is impossible not to be moved emotionally by this film, the acting is superb, and the little boys acting will wrench your heart out, particularly when the man in the film burns the dead woman's clothes.

I loved the Irish landscape, and the little cottage from where the story takes place.

And the ending where the man adopts the little boy and the little boy calls the man his dad, made me literally cry.

And watch out for the little seal, it's gorgeous, the seal is the little boys friend, almost human.

Watch this film with your family, and keep watching no matter how boring you feel it maybe, my bet is you will cry.

I wish they made more films like this, human, endearing, adult.

Saccharine stuff on Corny Corrie

[TimelessFlight · 3/10 · 18 February 2024]

A Shine of Rainbows tells the tale of a young and shy orphaned boy, Tomas, who is chosen by a new foster mum, Marie, to start a new life at her remote home on Corrie - a quiet island off the Irish coast.

Marie is welcoming, warm and loving towards Tomas, but the relationship between Tomas and Marie's husband Alec is not quite so comfortable. Tomas gradually settles and develops confidence, until a tragedy strikes.

Although a sweet, good natured and inoffensive film, I pretty much hated all of it (apologies to those who liked the film).

Firstly Marie and Tom (played by Connie Nielsen and Aidan Quinn) are too pretty by half, and not at all convincing; they're handsome city folk who look completely out of place in what could, in reality, be quite a harsh environment.

Secondly, the overbearing and relentless music. Just in case you forget this is meant to be in Ireland, here's some Irish music. And some more. And some more. And some more.

Thirdly, it is just so sickly sweet. Now I'm all for a feel good movie, but this was just so cheesy it almost tipped into satire. Maybe it's just the fact that I had not long before watched 'Ryan's Daughter' and the contrast between the grittiness of that and this treacle-laiden offering was too stark.

Throw in a range of eccentric knitware and Tomas's bizarre relationship with a seal pup (a dreadful animatronic one by the way) and it was all just too much to stomach.

Even the wonderful landscape didn't save it for me; we get glimpses of a fab coastline, but are never fully immersed in it.

There's certainly nothing to hate about the sentimental story itself, but the way it was portrayed on screen was just too lightweight and hammy. An amateur, corny offering I'll easily forget.

I really like this movie, set on an island in Ireland, an orphan boy finds a home.

[TxMike · 10 July 2012]

Sometimes the Netflix recommendations work, sometimes they don't. This time they did. The source novel was written in 1984 so I expect the story was probably set in the 1970s or so. A shy young boy of 8 has been in an orphanage and without any warning, one day he is called over and told he is going home with a woman. She had been observing him and knew he would be the ideal choice for adoption. She and her husband had tried to have a child of their own, without success.

On the trip to his new home, which required a ride in a boat to the island homestead, he became seasick, it was his first experience on water. In fact just about everything was new and he was shy, and spoke with a slight stammer.

Connie Nielsen is great as the wife, and eventual "mother", Maire. Her husband is Aidan Quinn as Alec. They love each other but are opposites, she is caring and warm, he is a typical task-oriented man living off the land and the nearby sea.

The boy is John Bell as Tomás, and it would be hard to imagine anyone else playing the part so well. Unsure at first he gets used to the routine, the chores, the school, and the new neighbor kids. He is happy in his new home, he asks permission to call this lady "mom" and she agrees enthusiastically. It seems like a perfect fit.

Mom is not well, and when things take a turn for the worse Tomás wonders if he will be allowed to stay, at a place that he now considers his home. Things turn out well, after a series of trials, and soon he has a dad too. They help each other see the world in better ways.

A really fine, small movie with superb acting. The location isn't bad either!

Great film

[kittiwake94 · 5 June 2013]

The film truly captures the spirit of the book which I read first. I have only one quibble ... seeing as the book is set where I come from: Lilian Beckwith lived in the village of Elgol on the Isle of Skye. John Bell is a Scottish actor from Paisley. Why on earth transpose the whole thing to Ireland? What's wrong with keeping it where it belongs? That aside, the film was beautifully acted and never descended to mere sentimentalism. Never were you made to squirm. This is a film which could be recommended to any family. It deals with the really difficult issues of life ... loss, acceptance and how unconditional love can cause a person to grow into who they can truly be inside. Also how unconditional love can heal.

This is how to watch a movie as a thinking man

[MovieIQTest · 29 February 2024]

"Saccharine stuff on Corny Corrie TimelessFlight18 February 2024

A Shine of Rainbows tells the tale of a young and shy orphaned boy, Tomas, who is chosen by a new foster mum, Marie, to start a new life at her remote home on Corrie - a quiet island off the Irish coast.

Marie is welcoming, warm and loving towards Tomas, but the relationship between Tomas and Marie's husband Alec is not quite so comfortable. Tomas gradually settles and develops confidence, until a tragedy strikes.

Although a sweet, good natured and inoffensive film, I pretty much hated all of it (apologies to those who liked the film).

Firstly Marie and Tom (played by Connie Nielsen and Aidan Quinn) are too pretty by half, and not at all convincing; they're handsome city folk who look completely out of place in what could, in reality, be quite a harsh environment.

Secondly, the overbearing and relentless music. Just in case you forget this is meant to be in Ireland, here's some Irish music. And some more. And some more. And some more.

Thirdly, it is just so sickly sweet. Now I'm all for a feel good movie, but this was just so cheesy it almost tipped into satire. Maybe it's just the fact that I had not long before watched 'Ryan's Daughter' and the contrast between the grittiness of that and this treacle-laiden offering was too stark.

Throw in a range of eccentric knitware and Tomas's bizarre relationship with a seal pup (a dreadful animatronic one by the way) and it was all just too much to stomach.

Even the wonderful landscape didn't save it for me; we get glimpses of a fab coastline, but are never fully immersed in it.

There's certainly nothing to hate about the sentimental story itself, but the way it was portrayed on screen was just too lightweight and hammy. An amateur, corny offering I'll easily forget."

Don't be so easily to become a fetus not developed with brain, yet.