Dendy Movie Review - Small Things Like These
By Abby Hext
Small Things Like These is not your typical narrative on the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. The Laundries were run by the Catholic church from the 1700s to the 1990s, serving as an institution for “fallen” women. They were made up of girls who were pregnant teenagers, unwed mothers, victims of sexual abuse, criminals, orphans, outcasts, disabled, mentally ill, or abandoned by their families. Many young girls were taken to the Laundries by their families out of shame, to hide them away from the world. They were subjected to long and relentless hours of manual labour, being told it would “redeem” them. The girls were never paid, subjected to abuse, and in some cases, passed away from neglect. As someone who knew next to nothing about the Laundries before watching, I was educated and deeply touched by this evocative and tragic art piece.
Whilst the film doesn’t shy away from showing the horrors and abuse that occurred at the hands of the Catholic church, the focus of the story is the life of Irish coalman and devoted father Bill Furlong. Played by Cillian Murphy, Bill is a man who is hard-working, loyal to his family, keeps to himself and takes pride in being a provider. Although he barely mutters a word, this is arguably one of Murphy’s best performances. Through body language and facial expressions, he shares Bill’s unsettled and distant persona, traumas and inner quarrels with the audience.
Bill is not directly associated with the Laundries, but his compelling history reveals a connection to the institution. Throughout the film, we get a glimpse into his childhood. We learn he spent the first ten years of life with his mother, who fell pregnant as a teenager and was saved from the Laundries by the generosity of an older woman. As an adult, during a coal delivery, Bill stumbles upon the convent and discovers a young laundry girl cruelly locked away in a coal shed, cold and terrified. Her name is Sarah, the same as his mother’s. Later, bribed and threatened by the Church, Bill becomes conflicted between a duty to address their wrongdoings, which are closely tied to his past, and the security of his present life and family. The persistent switch between his memories of his mother as a young boy supports the main plot and reveals the motivations behind his choices and feelings towards the situations he is confronted with.
Whilst Small Things Like These is slow-paced and lacks a steady plotline, it is a raw and intimate depiction of human nature, the power of choice and doing the right thing against all odds. Yes, a plot that takes place in the melancholy and damp streets of a small Catholic village in Ireland may not be the most adrenaline-packed, but the film still proves itself to be captivating and heartfelt nonetheless. The purpose of this beautiful and empathetic character study is to make you think about your choices and reflect on yourself. I shed a few tears myself, and I was left thinking about the film for days afterwards.
The pacing is not for everyone, but if you’re someone who enjoys the simple things in life, likes to challenge your perceptions and be left in a state of deep reflection, then this is the film for you. Whilst I recommend reading up on the Magdalene Laundries for some context before watching, you’ll have to witness Cillian Murphy’s expert performance to truly understand the raw experiences and emotions from this dark period of history.