34/22
He didn’t expect the rights to be available, but he called agent Claire Keegan, who told him they were
Story
In 1985, devoted Father Bill Furlong uncovers disturbing secrets hidden by a local convent and reveals shocking truths about himself. While Cillian Murphy was discussing a reunion with Tim Mielants, Murphy’s wife suggested that the novel Small Things Like These be made into a film. After acquiring the rights with producing partner Alan Moloney, Murphy pitched the idea to Matt Damon, who formed a studio with Ben Affleck to make the film.
And the children they took from them
Damon liked the story and the two set out to make the film. Eileen Furlong: If You Want to Get On in This Life, There Are Things You Have to Ignore. The sacrifices of over 56,000 young women who were sent to Magdalene institutions for “penance and rehabilitation” between 1922 and 1998.
Featured on 60 Minutes: Red Sea Crisis/False Electors/Finding Cillian Murphy (2024)
Director Tim Mielants delivers a meditative yet compelling and bleak portrait of the corruption in the Catholic Church and the infamous Magdalene laundries of Ireland, with a good sense of atmosphere and a rich performance by Cillian Murphy. The approach to writing, tone and themes is sensitive but handled appropriately, without feeling over the top or out of place. Creating a sense of the realism of the period and the challenges of the subject.
The camerawork, set design and direction help establish its setting
As has been said, Murphy’s performance is good, but Emily Watson is as good as ever. Simple storytelling, but a strong theme and subject matter shows its bleakness, and the true nature of human nature is well explored. Including a good score, dialogue and an interesting character by Murphy.
Overall, a great film
Some have criticized Murphy’s character, saying he’s not interesting and that the film should have focused on Magdalena’s laundries and the girls. I understand where the perspectives are coming from, but the idea of an ordinary outsider seeing the dark side of reality and seeing the truth is also an interesting perspective. We’re presenting what ordinary people are able to see and how it shapes them.
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