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9 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
excellent film, my favourite, 6 July 2000
10/10
Author: Robin Nunkesser (free.honk@gmx.de) from Dortmund, Germany

Dealing with the search for friendship, love, freedom and your own identity, this is surely the best film I know. Music, landscape and the characters build an unique atmosphere, that is mystic in a way, but most of all an expression of a longing and seeking mood. A film to find yourself! Or as Sue Clayton says, it is a film about the wanderer of Irish Legend and his chronist. And surely everyone is invited to share this wandering.

Did he jump or did he fall?

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9 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
You'll hate it or fall in love with it., 23 December 1999
9/10
Author: Malc-3 (malcolm_murray@pims.co.uk) from London, England

Bizarre, beautiful and quite unique; The Disappearance of Finbar is a difficult film to classify, starting out as a straightforward tale of teenage friendship turned to rivalry, transforming suddenly into a slow-burning, quiet but frequently wonderful oddyssey as Danny sets off on his trek through Sweden's stunning snowfields in search of the long-lost Finbar. Rhys-Myers is an unpredictable ball of energy while maintaining just enough of an air of mystery and distance, contrasting with Griffin's subtle Danny. The landscapes are to die for, the music grows on you and the film has a lingering, haunting quality. A little seen gem, this is the kind of movie that'll be adored and detested in equal proportion. 8/10

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2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
Interesting Film, 15 November 2003
Author: trininisa from Orlando, Florida

I initially saw this movie b/c I am a Jonathan Rhys-Meyers fan and had not seen the film. The start of the film was a tad slow for my tastes, but as it got on, I got more into it. When Finbar actually disappears (preluded with very smart, energetic gut acting by Rhys-Meyers) and Danny decides to look for him, I really started paying attention. It was an interesting trip. The music was great, the scenery shots were gorgeous, and I thought Danny was doing good detective work. There is an element of humor in the film that really got me. I wasn't expecting it, but it was there, though subtle.

Griffin does a fine job as Danny. He is understated and very likable. Rhys-Meyers' Finbar is very interesting. He is a mysterious figure that we never get the real deal on. We get a look here and there of real emotion and feeling, but I don't know Finbar. The energy Jonathan gave the role was a little unexpected (I expected him to be more subdued), but it was a perfect foil for Danny.

All in all, I thought it was a good film, worth the time to see.

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Oh dear Joe you seem to have missed the point, 15 December 2005
10/10
Author: Dom Christophers from United Kingdom

This film is not completely about simple narrative - it is about a young mans exploration - both physical and mental. I have met Sue Clayton (director + co-writer) and the amount of love and care she put into this film is unrivalled - it is in effect autobiography, drawing on her own experiences of living in a poor working class community in the North East and feeling trapped. The reasons for the change of setting to Dublin are very simple. She is not egotistical enough to make the film specifically about her, the story is hence a lot more easy to relate to, and the characters easier to identify with.

In my opinion, one aspect of the film did annoy me somewhat. I feel that Clayton spent too much time dwelling on character exploration and development in the scenes in Dublin - there was some rather unnecessary interchanges with the detective that could have been left out.

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great movie, very moving, 23 December 1999
10/10
Author: ahtemple (andyfest@yahoo.co.uk) from ireland

this film was great, i saw it on television and can only imagine how wonderful the beautiful northern swedish scenery must have looked, and interesting tale of how people aren't really that different after all, and how you've got to get away from your normal surroundings and go out into the world and find yourself. top stuff

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Amateurish but charmful., 23 December 1999
9/10
Author: fearhaven (fearhaven@yahoo.com) from Durham, England

This is a movie of two halves,first half in Ireland and the second half in sweden, which implies the purpose of the film is two-fold. Firstly it could be seen as a comparison between two cultures.A study in human nature.It shows that although the customs are different(clothes,music taste,food and so on) the basic human emotions are the same non-the-less. Secondly the film deals with these feelings.It portrays both sides of the coin.It shows how these emotions could be manipulated and turned into an item of fascination for other people(pop video...) and how also they could transcend borders,cultures,shackles imposed by society and so on to create something beautiful(friendship of Danny and Finbar, relationship of Abbi and Danny...). On the sideline it also suggests to you to go out and discover the world, ENJOY THE SNOW AND FRESH AIR!

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very interesting story and msg, 22 February 1999
Author: Gregor33 from Guayaquil, Ecuador

The central character (Finbar), plus the theme, about people who disappear, is very original. Though the storyline is odd, nothing seems to be fantastical or out of place. The parts when

Finbar's friend travels look like a Lonely Planet episode without dialogue. This movie will linger in anyone's mind even if they find it a little boring. Specially after hearing the closing narration. I won't say what the message is . You have to see the movie.

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1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
somehow aimless, but fascinating, 28 April 2000
7/10
Author: Leb from Hannover, Germany

I saw this one accidentally in the morning in tv. it was ok to watch at breakfast, i thought first. the film didn´t seem to have a goal, it just went on, with nothing really happening, just "real-life". but it somehow got me, and i went on watching. the story was as aimless as danny´s search, but it had its magic moments. i bought the soundtrack today (it was reduced!) and i like it, because it is as calm as the whole film. 7/10

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1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
Amateurish mish-mash but not without its charms, 5 April 1999
Author: Jasper Sharp from London

A real oddity, this mixed bag of a film. The early establishing scenes are so ineptly handled, and so protracted, yet the film suddenly springs into life in the second half, when we get across to Finland. Here we have some stunning scenery and an interesting look at a part of the world that doesn't often appear on the cinema screen. Even here it falters occasionally, in that the main story is all but forgotten in what amounts to little more than a quirky travelogue. If the opening half had been a little more engaging, then the ensuing developments would have had far more power. As it stands, we are left with a film not devoid of charm. The humorous moments seem a little forced and not always successful, and the overall impression is of the amateurishness of the entire enterprise. Shame, because there was a lot of scope here.

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0 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Beautiful, 1 November 1998
10/10
Author: Angel-58 from London, England

This is a beautiful film about finding yourself. Th scenes of Sweden are awe-inspiring, and the cast is marvellous. This is a must-see movie.

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