22/30
In 1985 devoted father Bill Furlong discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent and uncovers shocking truths of his own.. Cillian Murphy is a fan of the film’s original novel writer Claire Keegan. He remembers reading her novel "Foster" on a train and having to pull his hoodie over his face because he was crying.. Eileen Furlong: If you want to get on in this life, there are things you have to ignore.. Dedicated to the more than 56,000 young women who were sent to Magdalene institutions for "penance and rehabilitation" between the years 1922 and 1998.And the children who were taken from them.. Featured in 60 Minutes: Crisis in the Red Sea/Fake Electors/Finding Cillian Murphy (2024). Only a glimpse of the harsh reality that is the Magdalene laundries of Ireland. Bill is a working class Irish man. He is married to Eileen and they gave 5 girls at home. Bill works on a coal yard and delivers it to various people. Bill heads to a convent where he becomes unsettled and after more deliveries he becomes more concerned with the happenings of the nuns. Bills dread follows him into Christmas as we get glimpses of his past as we piece together why he is so upset. I think the movie is an important watch, I did think it would have leaned more into the convent side of things and the atrocities that took place but this was Bills story. The whole movie I felt a pain in my chest, wanting him to say something to do something but also knowing the repercussions he and his whole family would face if they dare question the church. The fact that these Hell holes were open til 1998 is a disgrace and embarrassment to this country, and the church, seeing the power nuns and priests believed they were entitled to is infuriating. A good watch, beautiful performances, 7/10.