The Quiet Girl Could Be The Underrated Must-See We All Need

There are several films that people were looking out for at this year's Academy Awards. The absurdist dramedy 'Everything Everywhere All At Once,' the epic sci-fi flick 'Avatar: The Way of Water,' and the action drama movie 'Top Gun: Maverick' were all some of the biggest hits of the last year. Then there are films like the anti-war picture 'All Quiet on the Western Front’ and the biographical drama 'Elvis' that have all fared well this award season. However, they're not what is on our minds right now.

Instead, we're interested in the Irish coming-of-age drama film 'The Quiet Girl.' It was nominated in the Best International Feature Film category, becoming the first Irish-language nominee in Oscars history. Unfortunately, while the movie might be a huge first for the awards, it faces some tough competition. Although it didn’t win, there's no doubting that this underrated gem is a must-watch. From its emotive story to the beautiful way it's filmed, ‘The Quiet Girl’ could be the underrated must-see we all need.

The Quiet Girl tells a powerful and emotive story 

For those who haven't heard of 'The Quiet Girl' before, the Irish movie follows nine-year-old Cait, who is sent to live with distant relatives for the summer in the 1980s. Cait is the quiet girl mentioned by the film's title, an identity that very much sets her apart from the rest of her biological family. Although there are some mixed feelings when the child arrives at her temporary new home, she and her foster parents soon establish a warm and loving bond. So much so that when she returns to her family at the end of the movie, it's hard not to feel the emotions of the characters involved. While it might not tell a story as epic as 'Avatar: The Way of Water' or 'Everything Everywhere All At Once,' there's no denying it was one of the most powerful nominees at this year's Oscars.

The film emphasizes Cait's quiet identity in wonderful ways

While the story of 'The Quiet Girl' is one of its strengths, it's far from the only one. The film is notable because it's not packed with action and dialogue, with the cinematography really emphasizing the notion of Cait's quiet identity. The wide shots and the quieter scenes help you see what it's like being in the girl's world, while also providing an excellent contrast to the movie's two main settings. With the film not being dialogue heavy, particularly on Cait's part, it was up to Catherine Clinch to bring the character to life through physical acting. Thankfully, despite this being her onscreen debut, she manages this perfectly, conveying what she needs to through body language. It has us incredibly excited about what she might bring to future film roles.

The lack of big drama helps rather than hinders the movie

When people think of drama films, their minds might not instantly go to something as understated as 'The Quiet Girl.' It's true that the movie isn't packed with shocking revelations and dramatic twists and turns. However, that doesn't mean it's entirely lacking in this department. There is one moment that may shake you to the core, and that's the secret that Cait's foster parents initially keep from her. The fact that the film doesn't make it obvious it's coming is yet another reason why 'The Quiet Girl' is so delightful. Moreover, we’d argue that this being one of the only moments of big drama in the movie actually helps it. ‘The Quiet Girl’ is so successful at using poignant moments to bring characters together, and these have a huge effect. After all, they’re much more reflective of Cait's quiet identity than something more dramatic.

It's a shame that a film as great as 'The Quiet Girl' was only in the International Feature Film category and not the Best Picture category. Nevertheless, the fact that it's nominated at all is a blessing, given how understated it is. So long as more people learn about it and hopefully see it for themselves, that's all that really matters.