Polly Steele’s Four Letters of Love, adapted from Niall Williams’ beloved 1997 novel, is a cinematic hymn to the enduring pull of true love. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Ireland’s coasts, this romantic drama weaves a tale that is deeply rooted in its 1970s Irish setting. With a stellar cast led by Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter, Gabriel Byrne, and rising stars Fionn O’Shea and Ann Skelly, the film aims to capture the novel’s poetic essence.
The story follows two parallel narratives that slowly converge. Nicholas Coughlan (O’Shea), a young man haunted by his father William’s (Brosnan) sudden decision to abandon his civil service job for a inspired painting career, navigates a fractured family life marked by loss. Meanwhile, Isabel Gore (Skelly), a spirited young woman from a music-filled island home, grapples with her own family’s tragedy when her brother suffers a debilitating accident. The film intercuts their journeys—Nicholas wrestling with his father’s choices and Isabel seeking freedom at a convent school—building toward their fated meeting.
Steele’s direction is a huge strength. Her visual style, paired with Damien Elliott’s luminous cinematography, transforms the Irish landscape into a character of its own. Golden beaches, beautiful seas, and cozy cottages create a dreamlike atmosphere that amplifies the story’s undertones. The performances are another highlight of this film. Brosnan brings a quiet intensity to William, a man torn between divine calling and familial duty. Bonham Carter, as Margaret Gore, delivers a standout performance, embodying a resilient matriarch who holds her family together with grace. Her chemistry with Byrne, who plays the poet-schoolteacher Muiris, paints a tender portrait of a long marriage weathered by love and loss. Skelly and O’Shea, as the young lovers, infuse Isabel and Nicholas with authenticity.
Ultimately, Four Letters of Love is a film for hopeless romantics who revel in stories of destiny and serendipity. It may not reinvent the genre, but its gorgeous visuals, heartfelt performances, and earnest exploration of love’s complexities make it a worthy addition to the canon of Irish storytelling.
Four Letters of Love arrives at Luna Palace Cinemas Thursday, Jul 24, 2025.
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