Small Things Like These is a film that was adapted from the 2021 novella of the same name by Claire Keegan. The film was directed by Tim Mielants and produced Cillian Murphy, who plays the character of Furlong, Emily Watson, and Ciarán Hinds in the supporting cast. The film is set in a small Irish town during Christmas in the 1980’s and showcases a heartwarming story on compassion, strength of character and doing what is right despite facing oppression. The film, like the novel, is handled easily but with such depth: the depth of the message about what kindness means and how difficult it can be to do the right thing.
Plot Summary
The plot revolves around the character of Bill Furlong who is a coal and timber merchant in an Irish county. With Christmas fast approaching, Bill has made it a point to work hard in order to feed his family and make the holidays lively for his daughters even though the times are tough economically. One day, while on his coal delivery round, he goes to a convent to drop a load of coal and sees a little girl whom he finds was being held captive in one of the convent’s famous laundries – these laundries were essentially used to detain and reform young women with “morality defects”.
As he learns about the girl’s captivity, he also begins to have conflicting feelings about whether he should act to save her or not. If he did so, he would not only place his business in jeopardy, but also his reputation within the community as the church has a strong hold over most people and such institutions are often tolerated by society. Bill’s exploration can be described as a battle within himself as at every step he is forced to engage with concepts of morality, justice and most importantly, compassion wherein he ultimately decides how far he is ready to go to pursue the cause of justice.
Themes
Klein Dinger Gut’s themes include personal bravery, moral strength, and the dangers of remaining passive or neutral in times of tyranny. Bill’s development as a character goes further than simply depicting how ‘normal’ individuals can be inspired to fight against institutionalized evil and how, most of the time, even the smallest display of kindness can be all it takes to bring about change. The film is also an example of the evil past of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries and the sociological factors which allow them to exist in the first place. The film does not shy away from tackling this history, which allows it to properly discuss issues such as justice or the emotional fragmentation that comes with buried shame in a given society.
Performances
In a well measured yet restrained manner, Cillian Murphy does not struggle with delivering a fitting bill Furlong. Furlong basically is not the type of character that Murphy normally plays in most of his films such as Peaky Blinders or A Quiet Place Part II, rather he plays a straight simple man of few words and in doing so portrays his inner struggles with utmost maturity. He perfectly demonstrates the internal conflict of an ordinary man who has a strong sense of belonging to his people but at the same time is driven by a strong sense of justice.
With their side roles, Emily Watson and Ciarán Hinds further immerse the audience into the matter, showing the delicate balance within a community that generally prefers to ignore turmoiling issues. Watson, especially, has a tough role as Bill’s wife who does not want to cause any scene but supports his actions, which in turn offers a different perspective to the family issues explored in the narrative in light of many challenges.
Cinematography and Atmosphere
There is a distinctive visual style to the film as it adapts to the raw charm of Irish winters and the mundaneness of life in a small town. The camera observes both the coziness in the friends and relatives gathering and the harsh lifelessness of the convent, an oppositional image that complements Bill’s fictional turmoil. The pacing of the film style is such that the audience experiences the weight of Bill’s stance and feels the hushed resolve of the story.
Reception and Overall Impressions From Critics
Small Things Like These has been well received by Critics who commend the movie for its emotional depth, relatability, and the great acting of its cast. It has also won the approval of audiences because the film approaches the difficult topics with a delicate touch that emphasizes the need for kindness and moral courage. Other people suggested that the societal-critical plot of the film is handled unobtrusively and highlights the role of human compassion at the darkest of times.
Small Things Like These is a deeply emotional, engaging, and inspiring film that has something valuable to teach its audience regarding the values of courage and love for others. It is a slow, yet powerful story that makes people wonder how those small scales of defiance and compassion affect the world. Finally, it is a story of empathy, family, and societal duty that leaves spectators thinking long after the film has finished.
Target Audience
This film is meant to be viewed by people who enjoy engaging with moral conflicts in the context of character driven stories. Small Things Like These will be gratifying and effective to the fans of socially relevant films such as Philomena or Spotlight, but also of Irish history and tales of subdued agency. It is also suitable for audiences who appreciate the inspirational, yet thoughtful narratives that emerge from the eye of cultural heritage – a perfect fit during holidays which go beyond stereotypical heart-warming moments.
