This Is the Sea

4/10/2026

**_A Protestant girl and Catholic boy during The Troubles of Ireland_** This was written & directed by Mary McGuckian, who went on to helm “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” eight years later. Most people seem to hate that disregarded flick, but I appreciated it. This one is along the lines of “The Run of the Country,” which was shot the previous year, mixed with The Troubles element of the soon-to-come “The Boxer.” The storytelling strangely keeps the viewer at arm’s length, but winsome Samantha Morton tends to keep your attention. She was 18 during shooting and is, basically, the 90s’ British version of 80s’ Jodie Foster. On the masculine front, Richard Harris’ character is interesting as the quirky neighbor of Hazel’s conservative family and liberal facilitator of her relationship wi