Kisses

Stars: Shane Curry, Kelly O'Neill

Director: Lance Daly

It's odd to describe a film with so much bad language as a charmer, but there's a certain luminescence (and innocence) to this tale of two Irish kids on the run that it's hard to deny. It pervades even the grungiest of developments, when the girl is snatched by perverts and the boy pursues by hanging on to the back of the kidnap car and letting his skate-boots do the rest.

Dylan (Curry) and Kylie (O'Neill) are deprived 11-year-olds with violent parents and no prospects. Both, however, prove, that they haven't quite grown out of the dreams of childhood. Fleeing after wounding his stepfather for beating his mother, Dylan is soon joined by Kylie, whose mother and older sisters do little but yell at her. They jump on to a container vessel and enjoy a long and idyllic voyage up the Liffey to the big city.

The streets of Dublin, however, are far more dangerous, especially when the kids' money is soon spent on frivolities. It's difficult to hear what the kids are saying - especially Curry - at times, but the film's heart, in spite of its language, is good, and chances are you'll be caught up in the youngsters' adventures in the waterways and back alleys of the city.

David Quinlan

Ireland/Sweden 2008. UK Distributor: Optimum. Colour by Dejonghe.
75 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 15.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 1, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 3.

Review date: 10 Jul 2009