by Rose F.

Enzo d’Alò, Luxembourg, Italy, Ireland, UK, Estonia, Latvia, Germany 2023

Mary loves cooking, a passion fostered by her beloved, rebellious granny. Unfortunately, their time together is coming to an end as granny becomes sick and goes to the hospital. At the same time, Mary’s best friend also reveals that she is moving away. Heartsick, she cycles to the nearby park and meets a mysterious stranger named Tansey who helps Mary and her grandmother come to terms with the present and the past.

Based on a novel by Roddy Doyle and lovingly directed by Enzo d’Alò, A GREYOUND OF A GIRL is a beautiful tale of grief and acceptance made understandable for young audiences. The character design is crisp and effective balanced against the more evocative backgrounds painted in a style to evoke the lush greenness of the Irish countryside. But what really shines is the feminine journey of mothers and daughters coming together in their understanding and acceptance of the cyclical nature of life and death. A GREYHOUND OF A GIRL is a film which can touch and inform all ages. However, do note that this is a film that will likely require some comfort and explanation for younger viewers. During the screening at the Berlinale which was filled with school classes, there was not a dry eye in the house, and several of the children had quite emotional reactions to the story which speaks to its power and importance.