Michael Farr (Ciaran Hinds) teaches woodworking at a school in Cobn, Ireland, where he is raising two teenage children on his own. His wife died of cancer two years ago, and he hasn't gotten over the immensity of the loss. Michael also looks after his father-in-law (Jim Norton) who is unhappily residing in a nursing home not too far away. He is very excited about his role in Cobh's annual literary festival. A writer himself, Michael is part of the volunteer staff that provides rides for the authors. The first one he meets is Nicholas Holden (Aidan Quinn), a vain and alcoholic bestselling American novelist who treats him with disdain. His second encounter is far more pleasant: Lena Morelle (Iben Hjejle) who writes about ghosts in her novels. This is very meaningful to Michael since he has been seeing them in his home at night. During his time with her, he feels comfortable talking about ghosts.
Lena has her own problem; a year ago, she had an affair with Nicholas, who is married. Now he claims to be madly in love with her and is even discussing leaving his wife so they can be together. Lena does not love him and tells him so but he persists in his desire to see their romantic relationship continue. She escapes him and spends some time with Michael exploring the religious sites in the area. He finds himself more and more drawn towards her.
Conor McPherson directs this slow-paced drama that deals in meaningful ways with grief, creativity, and the realm of the supernatural where we are confronted with mysteries beyond our rational comprehension. There is no rhyme or reason to the connection that forms between Lena and Michael, yet it draws them both out of themselves and opens them up to new possibilities. The piano and religious choir music in the soundtrack enhance the spiritual undertow of The Eclipse. The sturdy performances by Ciaran Hinds and Iben Hjejle are what make the movie worth seeing.
