A Greyhound of a Girl review: Dublin-set animation is a fanciful celebration of female kinship

Selected cinemas; Cert PG

'A Greyhound of a Girl' is a spirited animated adventure

Hilary White

Dublin schoolgirl Mary O’Hara (voiced by Mia O’Connor) dreams of being a famous chef when she grows up. While her cooking chops are coming along, she already has the fiery attitude synonymous with the profession.

The 11-year-old is full of lip for her two football-mad brothers, her mum (Sharon Horgan) and dad (Brendan Gleeson).

The person she adores most is her Nana (Rosaleen Linehan), whose health is steadily fading. Just as Mary is trying to come to terms with this, a mysterious woman (Charlene McKenna) turns up at her home.

She seems of a different age and is amazed by Mary’s basic household appliances. What transpires in this spirited animated adventure from Enzo D’Alo is that the ghosts of Mary’s ancestors are watching over her at this difficult time.

Based on a story by Roddy Doyle (who makes a brief cartoon cameo), there is an uncomplicated sweetness to this fanciful tale that makes one wonder about its live-action potential.

While it won’t win any prizes for its depiction of Mary’s slovenly male family members, its sentimental celebration of female kinship is hard to knock.

Three stars