Film

John Maguire on film: That boy Patrick Kielty can act, as Ballywalter proves

The almost romantic, almost comedy of isolation and reconnection showcases the considerable acting chops of The Late Late’s new presenter

Eileen (Seána Kerslake) and Shane (Patrick Kielty) in Ballywalter

Ballywalter

Directed by: Prasanna Puwanarajah

Nationwide, 15A

Rating: ****

Seána Kerslake and Patrick Kielty form an unlikely connection in Prasanna Puwanarajah’s debut Ballywalter, set mostly on the winding road between that off-season seaside village on the Ards peninsula and the winter-grey streets of Belfast. It’s an appropriately atmospheric setting for this almost romantic, almost comedy of isolation and reconnection, centred on people at a crossroads who share a sinking feeling they have long since lost ...