Cillian Murphy, acclaimed for his acting, is set to address Ireland’s complex and painful history in his latest film, “Small Things Like These,” based on the poignant novel by Claire Keegan. Although Murphy discovered the book during the Covid-19 lockdown and was profoundly impacted by its themes, it was his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, who inspired him to adapt the story for the screen, highlighting one man’s fight against church-sanctioned abuse.
Murphy not only stars in the film but also produces it, exploring the harrowing legacy of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries—institutions run by the Catholic Church where unmarried, pregnant women faced internment and were forced to endure childbirth in secrecy. While the narrative resonated with him deeply, Murphy confessed to CNN that he initially did not envision it as a film project until encouraged by his wife.
Following her suggestion, Murphy enlisted familiar collaborators such as screenwriter and playwright Enda Walsh and “Peaky Blinders” director Tim Mielants to tackle a subject he describes as “a collective trauma” for Ireland, one that the nation continues to grapple with.
In “Small Things Like These,” Murphy portrays Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and father of five daughters living in a small Irish town during the 1980s. The narrative unfolds as Bill grapples with significant emotional challenges amid the church’s pervasive influence over the community.
“We meet him at a pivotal moment in his life, where he’s confronting profound emotional turmoil, almost facing a breakdown,” Murphy explained to CNN. “The oppressive atmosphere in the town and the church’s control over society come to a head during a few challenging days leading up to Christmas.”
As Bill navigates his own struggles, he becomes acutely aware of the dire situation facing the young women laboring in the adjacent convent laundry while contrasting the lightheartedness of his daughters. In a powerful moment, he observes the women hard at work and witnesses one desperately pleading for help, only for a nun to quickly intervene. The cries of a baby in the background amplify the urgency of the situation.
The plot thickens when Bill discovers one of the girls hiding in the convent’s coal shed. The mother superior, portrayed by Emily Watson, threatens to yank away the education that Bill’s daughters cherish in exchange for his silence, handing him an envelope filled with cash to facilitate his compliance during the holidays.
Though “Small Things Like These” may seem understated compared to Murphy’s blockbuster performance in “Oppenheimer,” it carries a weighty moral message, immersed in the film’s robust critique of misogyny. This Irish tale, while reminiscent of the past, remains relevant today, as the country continues to confront its history.
Earlier this year, the Irish government initiated a scheme to address the grievances of those affected by mother and baby institutions, while in Northern Ireland, discussions on a public inquiry into these homes have commenced. The unsettling truth about the treatment of countless women and their children is still unfolding for many Irish citizens.
In another significant context, the Vatican recently released its first annual report on child protection efforts amid ongoing scandals regarding clerical sexual abuse, revealing that certain sectors of the Catholic Church inadequately address these issues.
“Small Things Like These” marks the first project from Murphy’s production company, “Big Things,” and is executive produced by Hollywood heavyweights Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The film is set to premiere in U.S. theaters on Friday, following its release in the UK.
Credit: CNN
