This soulful romantic drama based on Niall Williams’ bestseller follows two winning young strangers fated to be brought together. As the father of the presumptive groom, Pierce Brosnan embodies the film’s deeper meaning: What drives people to create? An unfulfilled civil servant, he experiences an almost religious epiphany to paint. Gabriel Byrne, playing the young woman’s dad, struggles with a similar urge, in his case to compose poetry that is both lyrical and profound. As his wife, Helena Bonham Carter exudes warmth and understanding. Meanwhile, the young would-be lovers circle each other.