My Sailor, My Love

Set against the same stunning natural backdrop of Achill Island that was used so well in Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022), Finnish director Klaus Härö’s romantic drama focuses on sea captain Howard (James Cosmo), retired and living alone, but beginning to struggle with more onerous tasks. Daughter Grace (Catherine Walker), whose own responsibilities prevent her from being able to take care of him herself, hires housekeeper Annie (Bríd Brennan) to cook and clean and such for her ageing father. Annie’s presence is initially met with gruffness and resentment by the cantankerous Howard, an attitude that mellows into a story of respect and romance in later years. However, this blossoming of affection causes tensions between father and daughter, and as information comes to light about the history of their relationship, the film unexpectedly becomes a study of familial grievances.