Director: Nicholas Humphries

Cast: Iwan Rheon, Katelyn Mager, Brendan Taylor

Production Company: Done Four Productions

Runtime: 88 minutes

“But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more.”

– Hans Christian Andersen

Mermaid stories often have a somber quality. These tales are essentially sad, and are usually laced with tragic events. What has been is what will be. Director Nicholas Humphries offers us a new look at an old story in his artistic film, Mermaid’s Song (2015).

In the movie, Charlotte is a young girl growing up during the Great Depression. Her father runs a dance club that has seen better days. A gangster becomes interested in the business, changing their way of life forever. In the midst of all this, Charlotte discovers she is a mermaid…

Also known as Charlotte’s Song, this movie is an updated version of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” with an added touch of horror. Aspects of the original story are neatly blended in with a much darker world full of greed and corruption.

Mermaid’s Song is also a period piece set in the 1930s with beautiful wardrobe, elaborate sets, props, and vehicles. It’s thematically grim, with a really creepy atmosphere. The story is clearly set in the real world, but their are hints that magic and wonder exist beyond the gloom.

Iwan Rheon from Residue (2015) is charmingly sinister as Randall, a gangster with his sights on the family business. Katelyn Mager from Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013) is excellent in the role of Charlotte, a challenging part with many sides to the character.

The song and dance sequences are well done, and occur often enough to make the movie feel a bit like a musical. The musical numbers all take place on stage, often in front of a lecherous crowd. Even the score has shadowy agenda in this movie.

The makeup and digital effects involved in Charlotte’s transformation into a mermaid are incredible. The change doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s striking and memorable. There are other effects in the movie that are also very effective.

Mermaid’s Song is an eerie look at the life of a mermaid trapped in a world she never made. It’s a haunting film that will leave you feeling enchanted…

– John Migliore

For more information on the film, check out the links below…

Official Trailer

IMDb Page

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