THAT THEY MAY FACE THE RISING SUN

(director/writer: Pat Collins; screenwriters: Eamon Little, based on the novel by John McGahern; cinematographer: Richard Kendrick; editor: Keith Walsh; music: Irene Buckley, Linda Buckley; cast: Barry Ward (Joe Ruttledge), Anna Baderke (Kate Ruttledge), Sean McGinley (Johnny), Phillip Dolan (Jamesie), Ruth McCabe (Mary), Lalor Roddy (Patrick Ryan), Brendan Conroy (Bill), John Olohan (Shah), Declan Conlon (Bob Booth); Runtime: 111; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Tina O’Reilly, Brendan J. Byrne; Juno Films; 2023-Ireland/UK)

“A gentle film.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A wonderful Irish romantic tale directed by Pat Collins (“The Dance”/”Song of Granite”) and co-written with Eamon Little. It’s based on the novel by John McGahern.

In the early 1980s, the middle-aged Joe Ruttledge (Barry Ward) and his European-born wife Kate (Anna Baderke), leave the bustle of London to live in the beautiful countryside of Ireland where he spent his childhood. They become sheep farmers and beekeepers. To integrate themselves into the community, they make friends with their eccentric neighbors such as the garage owner Shah (John Olohan), the laborer Bill (Brendan Conroy), and the hermit farmer Patrick (Lalor Roddy). Meanwhile Joe works on his novel, while Kate keeps contact with the London art gallery where she was a manager. But she turns down an offer to buy the gallery.

Things become melancholy as life quickly passes, death looms and the arty couple wonder what’s in store for them as they try to figure out if this is the place where they belong.

This is an observant slice of life drama where not much happens but things are still meaningful. The performances are honest and delivered in a natural manner. It’s a gentle film, where just listening to the birds sing is rewarding.

It played at the London Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 4/22/2025  GRADE: A-
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