Selkie (2000) Poster

(2000)

User Reviews

Review this title
5 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
6/10
Child star takes the spotlight in feel good family romp
sjbar7-713-60552521 October 2010
Tragically omniscient in its storyline, Selkie tells the story of a seal boy who tries to fit in on the land. How director Donald Crombie anticipated the pertinent social issues in Australian and US boarder control on the horizon, and translated so brilliantly into film, is a question for the gods - for they too know of things to come. Adding to this precognition of Crombie, are other great themes of friendship, the woes of being a teenager and the harrows of being an outcast.

A particular stand-out in this film is the character of the classic film-rebel on a motorbike - played convincingly by one Mariana Rego - question as you watch, the familiar shuffle of James Dean in her walk, and the smile of a circa-10 things I hate about you-young Heath Leger, is this Australias best child actress? Knowing she has grown up now, one begs the question - where is she now? Not even the precognitive ability of one Donald Crombie could anticipate where her life would head from the humble origins of Selkie, but one hopes that flare (or Bunsen burner) for acting is still burning deep within her soul.

Finishing with a feel-good family romp of a song, this film ticks many of the boxes, or 6 out of 10 to be specific - enjoyed by some!
3 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A silky selkie no less!
uds316 November 2001
Hard to be critical of such a well-intentioned children's tale. When I saw this film last year my first thoughts were that here was basically a flick for littlies but that required the attention span of a late teenager or young adult. Hell, even I was getting a bit toey! My twelve year old went to sleep!

Simply the story of a young boy whose mother takes a job on an island off the coast of Australia. The lad's world just about caves-in with the thought of leaving all his friends for what? isolation and boredom! As it turns out however he finds himself embarking on a voyage of self-education and magic when he discovers his inheritance is that he is of the Selkie bloodline, an ancient scottish breed. Half humans, but with the ability to turn into a seal when circumstances demand. Now I ask you, how useful a trick would THAT be?

Crombie has fashioned a decent enough little flick here, but something is missing? The framework is there, but where's the film's soul?
4 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
3/10
AM I A SULKIE?
MadamWarden23 December 2020
OMG, I tried watching this tripe. I'm an Aussie so am particularly embarrassed by this badly written, acted and directed effort. I realise that I am not the target audience but seriously....
2 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Great Movie
pub-2123 March 2019
It's basically kids/teen movie or for those still young at heart. Great feel good movie many of the actors just read lines and have a lot to learn, with a stellar performance thrown in by Elspeth Ballantyne. I give it a 8/10 but with consideration of the budget it should be a 9.5 GREAT MOVIE assuming it genre (kids/teen) you want.
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
great movie
ryan_adams_sucks29 December 2002
a sixteen year old named jamie ducan (Shimon Moore) struggles to find his place in life. His mother iona duncan (Celine O'Leary) gets a job on Jackson island so they have to move.jamie and his sister alison ducan (Mariana Rego) are not very happy about it. jamie has to move away from his job, footy team and his band. At Jackson island Jamie finds out about himself with help from his grandpa (Bryan Marshall)laura loopy (Elspeth Ballantyne) and his new friend samantha (Chelsea Bruland) At the very end of the movie when the credits come up you see jamie singing a pop song. THAT IS NOT LIKE HIM! Shimon moore is a very talented musician and is in a band called the sick puppies. they are my favourite band and you should check out there website

the movie is very good and i know every line 11/10 much love jamie
3 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed