Oppenheimer’s Oscar-winning star Cillian Murphy is back with a much more modest Irish production, Small Things Like These, based on the novel by Claire Keegan.
Murphy plays Bill Furlong, a hard-working coal merchant who must grapple with his conscience after he becomes aware of serious misdeeds by the powerful Catholic Church.
The film, from Belgian director Tim Mielants, reveals truths about the notorious Magdalene Laundries, run by the church from the 18th to the late 20th centuries, where “fallen women”– unwed mothers – were sent for punishment and supposed rehabilitation.
Bill Furlong is a devoted family man, father of five daughters, who lives in a small God-fearing Irish town in 1985.
In the days leading up to Christmas we follow his daily routine as he visits his regular clients and then goes home to wash up and spend time with his family.
Gradually he becomes aware that shocking things are going on at the local convent. He finds a shivering young woman locked in a freezing shed. A frightened teenage girl begs him to help her escape.
Does he have a responsibility to help?
His wife says nothing good comes from meddling in other people’s business. “If you want to get on in this life, there are things you have to ignore,” she tells him.
Murphy reflects on his own past as a lonely child with a single mother, relying on the charity of a generous widow.
This is a thoughtful, slow-moving film, depending greatly on Murphy’s expressive face to reflect his internal conflict.
Small Things Like These is now showing at Luna Leederville and Luna On SX.
Watch the trailer…
