The Shadow of Skellig (2009)

Directed by: Annabel Jankel | 102 minutes | drama, family, fantasy | Actors: Tim Roth, Kelly Macdonald, Bill Milner, John Simm, Skye Bennett, Jermain Allen, Eros Vlahos, Edna Doré, Alexander Armstrong, Navin Chowdhry, Nickie Rainsford, Tameka Empson, Lisa Zahra, Keiron Self, Queenie Wren Dempsey

They are called the Brit Pack, in response to the American equivalent, the Brat Pack. Tim Roth is one of the most famous actors from this group of talented English actors (first generation), which also includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bruce Payne and Paul McGann. Tim Roth (1961) made his international breakthrough when Quentin Tarantino gave him the role of Mr. Orange in ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and later the director cast him in ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994). He turned down the role of Severus Snape because he chose the role of General Thade in ‘Planet of the Apes’, perhaps not the best choice in his career. Roth has only received one Oscar nomination during his career to date, for his supporting role in ‘Rob Roy’ (1995), but the actor continues to impress with versatile roles, although he often plays a villain.

At first glance, his character in ‘Skellig’ also looks like a villain, at least there is a certain threat emanating from him. Roth plays a grubby, sickly man, who has been hiding for ages in a shed in an overgrown garden behind a dilapidated house. That house has recently been occupied by a young family: the approximately ten-year-old Michael (Bill Milner) and his parents. His mother (Kelly Macdonald) is heavily pregnant and there was simply no room for a second child in the flat where they first lived. Dad (John Simm) is determined to fix up the dilapidated house before the baby arrives, but things turn out differently…

Meanwhile, Michael discovers the eccentric inhabitant of the shed and despite the man being rude, ungrateful and unfriendly, a tentative friendship grows between the two. Skellig survives on insects and never moves, but when Michael brings him his favorite Chinese takeaway food and the occasional bottle of beer, the man seems to brighten up. Michael also gets to know someone his own age: the somewhat eccentric Mina (Skye Bennett), who is taught at home by her mother and shows up at the craziest moments. Mina has a special view of the world and things click pretty quickly between the two children. When Michael’s sister is born, it turns out that something serious is wrong with her: she has a heart defect and the little baby has to fight for her life. Michael is having a hard time with all these changes in his life.

The acting in ‘The Shadow of Skellig’ is absolutely convincing. Both the young actors and the adult cast deliver professional work, we see real people who make mistakes, cannot overcome their fears, but above all deserve our sympathy. The magical elements come into their own in this small, human drama, but the realistic themes of life, death and friendship are also properly worked out. However, not everything is explained, which may work to the advantage for one person and which the other will regard as a disadvantage. It gives ‘Skellig’ a ​​mysterious atmosphere, which makes it incomparable to other films in the genre. The excellent cinematography captures the atmosphere of the special children’s book – ‘Skellig’ is based on the award-winning book by David Almond (Silver Granger, Whitbread Prize) – and although the director takes the time to explain the story To do this, the direction is meticulous and no superfluous shot can be recognized in it. Recommended for children from the age of eight, but adult viewers will certainly enjoy this production as well.