The Eclipse

Get ready for some Irish haunting, fighting and angst. That's my kind of movie!

Ciaran Hinds stars as Michael - a lonely widower in a seaside Irish town. A big book festival is coming to town, and Michael is one of the people who has volunteered to drive authors around. The dude has been having some very weird dreams lately, and even thinks he saw a shadowy figure walking around his house one night (Yikes!).

Now, Michael finds himself chauffeuring Lena (Iben Hjejle) - the author of a book about hauntings. Not only does she try to help Michael understand what has been happening to him, but the two seem to have a chemistry he hasn't felt since his wife passed away.

Will Michael and Lena fall for each other?

What is haunting Michael?

Is he just going insane?

The Eclipse is a quietly intriguing movie. It's not quite a horror movie. It's not quite a love story. It's not quite a family drama. It's a bit of all of that with raw and shocking scary moments, but also a strong story about the inner, emotional haunting Michael faces as he tries to move forward after his wife's death.

Hinds, one of those actors you recognize and remember for being very good, is strong and stoic as Michael faces his fears, past love, and possible future love. Then, he delivers in the big climax in ways you might not expect or think were possible after watching him be so quiet throughout the first part of the movie.

While you might want more action and more stuff happening in The Eclipse (longing looks and staring into the distance only bring so much drama), some of that is brought by Aidan Quinn as the outrageous, lecherous author, Nicholas, who wants to win over Lena. While the rest of the movie mostly is quiet and contemplative, Quinn is the one who injects some passion, comedy and fighting spirit.

Don't go into The Eclipse expecting the next Sixth Sense or Final Destination, and you might be surprised.

The Eclipse is rated R for language and some disturbing images.