This family drama laps by as quietly as the waters of the famous loch, and, although pleasant, is liable to make barely a ripple on your memory.

Ted Danson is agreeable enough as the American zoologist sent to roust out the monster of legend from the watery depths, but he's roundly outshone by Joely Richardson, sporting a convincing Scottish accent as a hotelier, and by little Kirsty Graham, a real charmer, as her daughter.

The photography of the Scottish Highlands is gorgeous, but most of the drama is so low-key as to be unacceptably mild, with Scots stereotypes unchanged since the days when Ealing made such (much better) comedies as Whisky Galore! and The Maggie.

Those expecting a feast of special effects will be disappointed, although Jim Henson's Creature Workshop supplies a little bit of magical trickery at the end.