Reviews of “Small Things Like These”: An In-Depth Look at Plot, Characters, and Themes

Dive Deep into the Subtleties of "Small Things Like These": A Comprehensive Exploration

Cillian Murphy plays Bill Furlong in "Small Things Like These." This film stands apart from typical Christmas movies. Set in 1985 Ireland, it unveils societal silence and uncomfortable truths. Expect reality during the holidays and a moral reckoning.

General Information: Unpacking the Essentials

"Small Things Like These" reflects its core message: small acts of kindness can have monumental impact. Bill Furlong, a devoted father and coal merchant, stumbles upon buried secrets in a local convent. This convent has a dark history. It's a Magdalene laundry. Bill uncovers secrets, confronting disturbing echoes from his past.

The film captures Claire Keegan's novella from 2021. Keegan has a knack for packing emotional punches with few words. The movie mirrors her style. New Ross, the town, becomes a character. Christmas in 1985 brings a sharp contrast to grim realities. The Catholic Church's influence casts long shadows, making the festive season feel heavy.

Plot Deep Dive: Navigating the Narrative Twists and Turns

Meet our protagonist, Bill Furlong. He’s no action hero. Bill is a coal and timber merchant and a working-class man with calloused hands. He worries about his family and his community. He’s introspective, not seeking trouble, until he discovers a chilling truth. Imagine delivering coal and unearthing institutional cruelty.

About the Magdalene laundries: They were not standard laundromats. Run by Catholic nuns, they caused immense suffering for "fallen women." In 1980s Ireland, this meant being unmarried with children. Many young women were forced into harsh conditions, stripped of their dignity. This dark chapter emerges in "Small Things Like These," exposing hard truths.

Bill’s discovery creates internal conflict. His conscience urges him to act and expose injustice. Fear holds him back—fear for his family, fear for safety. The convent is powerful in the town. Challenging them resembles David versus Goliath; Goliath controls the local economy. Bill wrestles with moral dilemmas, deciding between right and safe.

Now, the ending. If you expect a neat resolution, prepare for disappointment. In a pivotal moment, Bill leads Sarah, a young woman, from the convent into his home. It’s an act of profound humanity against systemic cruelty. But the story ends there. There are no explicit consequences shown. We see only Bill’s kindness and warmth toward Sarah.

This ambiguity forces us to ponder the meaning of his actions. Did he change the world? Probably not right away. But he did the right thing. Choosing compassion is its own reward, a silent victory. It may even provide redemption for Bill himself, forgiving his younger self for past mistakes, enriching the film's emotional landscape.

Characters and Relationships: The People Who Populate This World

Bill Furlong is more than a coal merchant; he embodies quiet heroism. He is kind and hardworking but also thoughtful, an overthinker perhaps. This drives him to question the status quo and see beyond appearances. His backstory matters: raised by a single mother with an absent father, he understands societal margins and extends kindness to those in need.

Meet Eileen, Bill’s wife. She complements the image of a family man. Together, they have five daughters in a loving home. Eileen is more than just a spouse; she is a partner and pragmatic anchor to Bill’s introspection. Their relationship shows mutual respect and affection. As a crisis brews, their bond tests, with family at Bill’s core.

Sarah Furlong, Bill’s mother, looms large despite not being present in the film's timeline. Her story unfolds in fragments, providing insight into Bill’s journey. A young mother ostracized by her family, she found refuge with Mrs. Wilson, a kind Protestant widow. This kindness parallels Bill’s later actions. Sarah faced hardship and died when Bill was twelve.

The mystery surrounding Bill’s father adds another layer of trauma. Sarah's life influences Bill deeply, shaping his sense of morality and compassion. Her experience and resilience drive his empathy and moral obligations. This silent undercurrent propels Bill’s journey.

Mrs. Wilson, the wealthy widow who employed Sarah, plays a significant role in this narrative. She embodies kindness amidst harsh realities.

Mrs. Wilson is a less prominent yet pivotal character. She supports Sarah when others abandon her. This act shines a light on judgment and cruelty. Mrs. Wilson shows quiet generosity and acceptance. Her kindness mirrors Bill’s present-day actions, highlighting compassion's cyclical nature.

Emily Watson plays the Mother Superior. She brings intensity to her role as the head of the convent. Not much about her is revealed, yet her presence links to abuse and silence in the film. She embodies the Church's authority and institutional power. Watson’s portrayal adds tension to the story.

Themes and Messages: Decoding the Film's Deeper Meanings

"Small Things Like These" explores pain, trauma, and grief beyond plot. The film delves into Bill’s past. His childhood shapes his present actions, marked by loss. The film shows how past traumas influence choices. Grief can lead to empathy or paralysis.

The film depicts "real-life horror" in a disturbing way. There are no jump scares or graphic violence. Instead, the reality of Magdalene laundries creates an atmosphere of dread. It's horror grounded in history. The unsettling truths provoke thoughts about society and injustice.

Institutional abuse is a central theme. Magdalene laundries show the horrific acts institutions can commit under moral pretenses. The film highlights societal silence and the Church's power enabling this abuse. It critiques institutional failures and their consequences for the vulnerable.

The "power of silence" is another theme. Individual and collective silence can perpetuate injustice. The community's indifference to suffering contributes to this silence. Fear and deference to authority play roles. "Small Things Like These" encourages breaking this silence. Speaking out is necessary.

Courage counters silence and abuse. Bill acts against the convent, offering solace to Sarah. This act is personal and rooted in moral conviction. The film highlights the impact of small bravery. It suggests individual conscience can challenge entrenched oppression.

Moral obligation influences Bill’s actions. He feels compelled to help those suffering. This duty stems from his own past and grace shown to his mother. Bill understands marginalization. The film implies that moral obligation is a personal response to suffering and a shared humanity.

Redemption subtly appears in Bill’s kindness towards Sarah. This can be viewed as self-redemption for his past burdens. It hints at forgiving his younger self. This psychological layer adds depth to his moral choices, making them resonate.

The conflict of "good vs. evil" is woven into the story. The film contrasts compassion and cruelty without oversimplifying. Bill embodies quiet goodness against institutional evil. It avoids didacticism, exploring complex moral choices and recognizing the struggle for compassion over indifference.

Claire Keegan’s work illuminates violence and its forms. She explores emotional, institutional, and societal violence. Keegan reveals misogyny in actions and structures, linking past to present violence. "Small Things Like These" inherits this understanding, presenting a disturbing yet thought-provoking story.

Production Aspects: Behind the Scenes

Tim Mielants directs "Small Things Like These," adapting Keegan’s novella. Mielants's experience promises sensitive direction, capturing the material's power. Cillian Murphy stars as Bill Furlong, offering a strong performance. Murphy communicates deep feelings with minimal dialogue. Filming in New Ross, County Wexford, enhances realism. This setting immerses viewers.

The audience lives in the atmosphere of 1980s Ireland. The film releases on November 1, 2024, in Ireland and the UK. This rollout seems strategic. It might connect with those aware of the Magdalene laundries and Claire Keegan's impact.

Critical Reception and Interpretation: How the World is Seeing It

Early reviews suggest "Small Things Like These" demands attention. Viewers feel "glued" to the screen. The film captures them with its atmosphere and emotional depth, even in quiet moments. This shows visual storytelling's power and Murphy's strong performance. The film comes off as "disturbing," highlighting "real-life horror" in a subtle manner. It aligns with themes of institutional abuse and the harrowing reality of the laundries. The "ambiguous ending" stands out, not as a flaw but as a thought-provoking piece. It prompts viewers to consider Bill's actions and moral choices. The historical context of Magdalene laundries matters for grasping the film’s significance. These institutions, known for housing "fallen women" in Ireland for years, depict a dark era of Irish history. The film's exploration of this backdrop adds complexity.

The symbolism catches attention too. For instance, the "crows" perched in convent trees symbolize "corruption" within these institutions. This focus on visual detail shows a rich, layered film that encourages analysis. It is not merely a simple story; it invites discussions and deeper connections with its themes.

Comparison to "The Little Things": A Nuance in Narrative

A comparison appears between "Small Things Like These" and "The Little Things." This connects to the killer's identity in the latter. Although they may seem thematically distant, the connection could highlight narrative methods. "The Little Things" holds back the killer's identity, fostering unresolved mystery. In contrast, "Small Things Like These" is less focused on mystery and more on moral clarity amidst societal opacity. While "The Little Things" thrives on ambiguity, "Small Things Like These" emphasizes uncertainty in moral choices and their effects within larger systems. This comparison may underline different narrative ambiguities and their themes.

Other Noteworthy Details: Bits and Pieces

Interesting details emerge within the brief. Bill's father's last words, "A X O L O T L, my time has come to burn! I invoke the ancient power that I may return!" seem out of context and likely irrelevant to "Small Things Like These." This could be a misunderstanding or red herring. Details about "Bill and Franks Illness," "Cillian Murphy's Twin Brother," "Mother's Name" (Brenda Glover), and "Potteries Saying" seem misattributed or irrelevant as well. It is vital to focus on specifics tied to "Small Things Like These." Extraneous details should be set aside.

The mention of "Religion" and "Claire Keegan's Strengths" holds importance. The film is set in 1980s Ireland, showing the Catholic Church's vast influence. It shapes social norms, values, and behaviors. This context is not just background; it is a central force in the story's social and moral landscape. The Church serves as both a source of "comfort and moral authority" and a "force of control and silence," especially regarding women's mistreatment. This duality is essential to grasp the film's thematic exploration. Reiterating "Claire Keegan's Strengths" further emphasizes the film's literary roots while uncovering themes of violence, misogyny, and institutional critique. Such aspects deepen our understanding of significant social and historical issues within the film.

In conclusion, "Small Things Like These" aims to be more than a film; it seeks to explore morality, silence, and action against injustice. Cillian Murphy's portrayal of Bill Furlong and Tim Mielants' direction promise a powerful cinematic experience. This film leaves a mark, inspiring reflection on historical truths and the value of small acts of kindness amid indifference.