Brosnan in FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE

Golden sunlight cascades over the rugged Irish coastline in a story of destiny and cosmic intervention that unfolds like poetry in motion. Pierce Brosnan leads a stellar ensemble cast in FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE, a heartfelt adaptation of Niall Williams’ globally cherished novel that’s set to captivate audiences when Vertigo releases it theatrically across the UK and Ireland this June. The film presents a sweeping narrative where divine signs and cosmic connections guide characters through an emotional journey that cynics may scoff at, but romantics will embrace wholeheartedly.

In this sun-dappled romance filmed across the breathtaking landscapes of Donegal and Antrim, Brosnan portrays William, a staid civil servant who abandons his career and teenage son after experiencing what he believes is a divine calling to become a painter. The seasoned actor brings gravitas to a character seeking meaning in life’s later chapters, a theme that resonates with Brosnan’s own recent career choices. While the former 007 has maintained a steady presence in Hollywood with roles in films like THE FOREIGNER and BLACK ADAM, his turn in FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE represents his growing interest in intimate, character-driven narratives that explore life’s deeper questions.

Director Polly Steele, fresh from her work on 2024’s THE MOUNTAIN WITH ME, crafts a tale that intertwines two seemingly separate stories destined to converge. As William follows his artistic calling to Ireland’s picturesque west coast, elsewhere Issy (Ann Skelly) reluctantly leaves her island home for convent school, her departure deeply felt by her parents, played with nuanced affection by Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne. Cinematographer Damien Elliott transforms the Irish landscape into an almost fairytale realm where the seas shimmer endlessly blue and beaches gleam golden under perpetual sunshine.

The film follows the parallel journeys of spirited Issy and the more reserved Nicholas (Fionn O’Shea), William’s son, as they navigate life’s unexpected twists. Skelly brings a combination of Maureen O’Hara’s fire and Saoirse Ronan’s vulnerability to Issy, while O’Shea embodies stoic resilience through personal losses. Their performances ground a narrative filled with omens, divine interventions, and miracle cures in authentic emotion, even as the story veers into the realm of cosmic coincidence.

This tale of star-crossed lovers evokes the spirit of Edna O’Brien’s early works while being presented through a lens reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks adaptations. Production design creates a world of cozy blue-walled cottages, inviting pubs with roaring fires, and suffocating workplaces that visually underscore the characters’ emotional journeys. For Brosnan, the role represents a thoughtful addition to a recent filmography that has seen him increasingly drawn to projects with emotional depth and cultural resonance, particularly those connecting to his Irish heritage. FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE stands as testament to Brosnan’s evolution as an actor who, like the character he portrays, continues to find new purpose and meaning in his artistic endeavors.