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Small Things Like These is a 2024 historical drama directed by Tim Mielants. Adapted from Claire Keegan's 2021 novel, the film stars Cillian Murphy, who also produces, alongside Emily Watson, Eileen Walsh and other renowned actors. Premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2024, the movie was highly praised.
Released in Ireland and the UK on November 1, 2024, it presents a terrifying narrative of Ireland's Magdalene laundries, establishments infamous for mistreating weaker young women. Audiences in the United States can watch it starting November 8, 2024.
In December 1985 in the Irish town of New Ross, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant, finds out a disturbing secret at a convent run by nuns. This is the story of Small Things Like These. He has to confront his own morals in this context, which finally drives him to speak out.
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The film derived from Keegan's best-selling book under the same name. Along with illustrating Ireland's terrible past, it looks at themes of strength, social pressure, and personal responsibility.
The official synopsis of the movie says:
“In 1985 devoted father Bill Furlong discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent and uncovers shocking truths of his own. While working as a coal merchant to support his family, he discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent — and uncovers truths of his own — forcing him to confront his past and the complicit silence of a small Irish town controlled by the Catholic Church."
All about Small Things Like These
Small Things Like These centers on the life of Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and father of five, who navigates the harsh realities of his small Irish town.
During a late-night delivery, he discovers a young, pregnant girl locked away in a shed at the local convent, an ominous encounter that sets the tone for the rest of the story.
As Bill struggles with his discovery, he faces mounting pressure from the convent’s Sister Mary, who subtly threatens his daughters' education if he speaks out. The narrative unveils the dark secrets of the Magdalene laundries, institutions infamous for detaining women under oppressive conditions.
The storyline of Small Things Like These is an exploration of moral courage, community complicity and the power held by institutions over individuals. It questions why such atrocities went unchallenged for so long, portraying Bill as a symbol of conscience in a world governed by silence.
Bill's internal struggle
Bill’s character evolves as he encounters the systemic injustices surrounding him. His life changes after witnessing the cruel treatment of young women at the convent, especially a girl named Sarah, whose circumstances mirror his mother’s past.
As Bill remembers his single mother's tenacity and the sacrifices made by those who looked after him, this event drives him to consider his own past. Cillian Murphy brilliantly captures Bill's inner conflict by giving the character nuance through understated gestures and expressions.
The Magdalene Laundries: A dark history
The film tackles the history of the Magdalene laundries, notorious institutions where young women were sent for "penance."
These laundries operated under the guise of providing shelter, but, in reality, exploited the women for unpaid labor. Over 56,000 women endured abusive treatment in these institutions, many of whom were cut off from their families and forced to give up their children.
The Magdalene laundries’ history is a recurring theme in Irish cinema, with Small Things Like These offering a fresh perspective. Unlike previous films that examined institutional cruelty, this film delves into the subtle ways people justify or ignore injustice, exploring the communal silence that allowed these injustices to persist.
Bill's decision to act
Despite warnings, Bill chooses to help Sarah, a decision symbolizing the importance of individual actions against systemic abuse.
His defiance underscores the film’s message — that confronting injustice, even in small ways, is vital. Bill’s determination to provide Sarah with safety signifies his moral victory, culminating in an emotional final scene where he welcomes her into his home.
Production and directors
Directed by Tim Mielants, Small Things Like These is co-produced by Cillian Murphy and industry veterans Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, through their company Artists Equity.
Mielants, known for his work on series like Peaky Blinders, brings his signature style to this feature film, emphasizing emotional nuance. The screenplay, written by Enda Walsh, stays true to Keegan’s novel, maintaining its reflective tone and powerful themes.
Filmed primarily in New Ross, Ireland, Small Things Like These captures the authenticity of rural Irish life in the 1980s. The crew, comprised mostly of local talent, wrapped filming within a few weeks, effectively capturing the small-town setting that is essential to the story’s tone.
Cast of Small Things Like These
The film stars Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a character he portrays with depth and subtle intensity.
Murphy, known for his transformative roles, delivers a powerful performance, depicting Bill’s turmoil and quiet strength. Emily Watson plays Sister Mary, the convent’s ominous Mother Superior, whose subtle yet chilling presence makes her a formidable antagonist.
The supporting cast includes Eileen Walsh as Eileen Furlong, Bill’s supportive wife, and Clare Dunne as Sister Carmel, adding layers to the convent’s complex hierarchy. Other notable cast members include Helen Behan, Michelle Fairley and Liadán Dunlea, who bring authenticity to this poignant story.
Small Things Like These is a harrowing look at Ireland’s Magdalene laundries, seen through the eyes of an ordinary man who chooses to act when others turn away. Tim Mielants's direction and Cillian Murphy's potent performance capture Claire Keegan's book alive, enveloping viewers in a tale of compassion, bravery, and subdued revolt.
The movie reminds viewers of the power of even the smallest deeds of kindness in a world darkened by cruelty as Bill Furlong faces the sinister undercurrents of his neighborhood. Small Things Like These presents a moving cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits have rolled thanks to its great cast, historical depth and compelling narrative.
