“Strange bedfellows” is how one consumer review summed up “The Golden Seal,” and I’d have to agree. But as you can see, the occasional off note in this Alaskan scenery showcase doesn’t stop me from recommending the film as a serious family adventure.
Just how serious is what many viewers seem to argue about. Despite the cover photo of a golden seal kissing a happy boy, the movie is intense and might scare off a child under 8 or 9 years. You be the judge of your child’s skittishness, but rest assured there are rewards of both drama and message if you feel the timing is right.
The young boy, Eric, lives on an isolated Aleutian island with his mom and his stoic father. They struggle to hold together a windblown cabin by the raging seashore, but are basically happy in their meager existence.
The boy thinks he’s spotted the islands’ legendary golden seal playing in the rough waters. Turns out the townspeople a long boat ride away love to tease the father about his alleged golden seal sightings, driving the stoic dad to distraction. But there’s more at stake than his ego — part of the legend is that a crazy Russian has put big money in a bank trust for anybody who can bring in the golden seal’s prized pelt.
Young Eric has no use for the money. He just wants a friend, and the golden seal is ready to play that role. When two other hunters show up and it appears everybody on the island except his mom wants the seal dead, Eric defies his father and disappears in a powerful storm.
What throws some people is the language, which is quite salty for a PG film with an animal theme. A few “s” words will turn off a few parents, but it’s not out of line with the harsh life of the people involved.
Rated: PG, for dramatic scenes, a father striking his son, and language.
Best suited for: Fathers and sons and animal lovers over the age of about 8.
