Set in 1980s Ireland, “Small Things Like These” unfolds through the eyes of Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy). He’s a humble coal merchant who uncovers a disturbing sight during his regular early morning drop-offs at a local convent: a young woman in the early stages of pregnancy locked out in a cold shed on the premises. After a meeting with the insidious Mother Superior, Sister Mary (Emily Watson), who immediately extends a Christmas bonus as hush money, Bill is conflicted between doing the right thing or losing a ticket to free education for his young daughters at the convent school.
Adapted from Claire Keegan’s acclaimed novella by the same name, “Small Things Like These” is a true and harrowing examination of abuse. It focuses its lens within reform homes which housed rebellious teens, school dropouts, runaways, and ostracised young mothers expecting out of wedlock. These facilities were infamously known as ‘Magdalene Laundries’.
The Façade Behind Systemic Abuse
The movie not only poses questions on the mere existence of such institutions—which put up a façade of piety yet were notorious for systemic abuse behind closed doors—but also depicts the reluctance of the church-going public in exposing it. This is particularly witnessed in the conflicted nature of Furlong’s neighbours and his family, who discuss the same in whispers at home rather than loudly, They also overlook the wrongdoings entirely, since they too fear the wrath of the women who wear religious habits, yet who do not practice what they preach. Furlong is even constantly warned off by everyone from the local barkeep in his small town to his own wife.
The film also subtly examines internalised sexism and misogyny, which runs deeper than any coal mine, via a conversations between Sister Mary and Furlong. The former passive-aggressively laments an absence of a male heir (Furlong only has daughters) who will carry forward the latter’s bloodline. In the same scene, viewers are also introduced to Furlong’s personal views, which are the opposite of chauvinistic. Raised by a single mother, the doting girl-dad is quick to retort that he already takes pride in using his mother’s maiden name.
Cillian Murphy is a Strong, Relatable Character
And therein also lies a major strength of this movie: its empathetic, relatable, and progressive protagonist. Furlong is utilised as a vessel for a universal message of how the smallest acts matter in the long run, and which can then translate into larger acts of heroism for the greater good. Initially he is depicted as a silent but sympathetic spectator of every minute incident. These range from schoolboys who tease and objectify their female classmates in crowds while out shopping for Christmas presents (an incident that rattles him and further leaves him concerned over the safety of his own daughters) or noticing a young starving orphan on the wintry streets.
These incidents reignite memories of his own childhood when he was taught to treasure basic comforts such as a hot water bottle. It also acts to check his privileges in the present when he can afford modern amenities such as indoor heating for his own family. As the movie progresses, Furlong realises that if change must arise, he must immediately break free of his silent complicity. He need to act upon his paternal instincts to ensure the safety and security of the vulnerable, rather than cower from the tactics of the nuns who even threaten him via cryptic sermons to prevent him from whistle-blowing.
Emily Watson is a Chilling Contrast
Cillian Murphy (who also produced the movie under his banner Big Things Films) improves upon an already well-written and directed movie with his performance. Through subtle mannerisms and winces, he lends emotional gravitas to the extremely brave and humble working-class hero, Bill Furlong, lugs around burdens both metaphorical (a gnawing conscience) and literal (sacks of coal to provide heating for an entire town and familial responsibilities) burdens.
The cinematography from Frank van den Eeden highlights this. A shot of Furlong quietly and aggressively shoveling coal is not just strong imagery, but stands out as a testament to Murphy’s ability to non-verbally convey the thoughts and emotions running through the character’s mind. Murphy uses facial acting to underline his overwhelming sense of haplessness and lingering guilt after he’s forced to turn a blind eye to the pleas of the unknown victim of abuse whom he views with fatherly affection. Co-star Emily Watson proves a chilling contrast to Murphy’s subdued and timid act as the intimidating Mother Superior who feigns innocence before switching to her menacing true colours.
A Film Not Afraid to Bare All
Overall, “Small Things Like These” is a powerful and heart-tugging work that deserves heaps of praise. It raises awareness on a topic that’s difficult to speak on but important to speak about, and does so with the utmost sensitivity—simultaneously with grit—and without holding back either.
“Small Things Like These” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and Hulu.
