A Song to Keep in Your Head

*This review will contain spoilers for Song of the Sea

This is not your average animated film. Do not let the simple art style fool you; this film covers some very serious ideas.

The entire film is a journey of emotions. The story focuses on Ben, a young boy who had always wanted a little sibling. However, when his mother "vanishes" on the day of his sister's birth, he grows to resent his new sister. He criticizes her at every chance he gets. However, through a journey through the mythology of his mother's stories, he finds the spirit of their mom lives inside his sister.

Furthermore, there is a sub theme about the need of emotions, even painful ones. This exists in two main ways: Maka, the Owl Witch, and Ben's grandmother. Maka sees emotions as evil things, as her son nearly drowned himself in his tears. Maka removed the feelings of her son, and anybody else she could, believing in her very soul that she was helping them. However, in the process of removing the pain emotions cause, it drains the person of their life essence, turning them to stone. Similarly, Ben's grandmother believed that his father shouldn't think about the loss of his wife at all, and thus suppress the emotions associated with loss. 

These characters ultimately are defeated by being forced to face their emotions and come together as a family. Only by facing their emotions and embracing Saoirse's similarities to the lost loved ones can they truly move on. 

The animation in the film is very fluid, and the intensity of movement parallels the action and intensity of the scenes beautifully, almost in a Charlie Brown meets Spirited Away kind of fusion. While there is little detail in the character expressions themselves, the emotion is conveyed perfectly in the eyes of the characters.

The score of the film repeats itself on numerous occasions, especially the actual "Song of the Sea" however, when the score returns, the pitch changes to fit the mood of the scene it is in, and further conveys the emotions of the story.

This is a beautiful film that deserves to be seen. It has a unique visual style, and the message will resonate with everyone, as we all will say goodbye to a loved on at one point or another. In my opinion, this is one of the most unique, and the most beautiful, animated films I have seen in my lifetime.

If you are looking for something unique and beautiful to watch with your family, I highly recommend this film.

If you have seen it, let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Click here to order the movie, or watch it free with Amazon Prime.