Discover the Heartfelt Message of ‘Small Things Like These’ (2024) – A Thought-Provoking Movie Review

Small Things Like These, 2024

Directed by Tim Mielants, this film features a talented cast including Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson, along with others like Michelle Fairley and Zara Devlin.

SYNOPSIS:

In 1985, devoted father Bill Furlong makes alarming discoveries about the local convent, exposing unsettling truths that affect his life.

In Small Things Like These, we see Cillian Murphy’s character, Bill Furlong, often scrubbing dirt from his hands — a physical representation of the moral struggle he’s facing. Bill runs a coal factory in a small Irish town where the local convent hides dark secrets. The community prefers to turn a blind eye to what happens there, fearing that confronting these issues could jeopardize their children’s futures. This reflects a broader societal tendency to overlook uncomfortable truths.

Bill stands apart from this mindset. He helps struggling families and gives what little he can to those in need. However, he hesitates to confront the convent, run by the stern Sister Mary, played by Emily Watson. One day, while delivering coal, he witnesses a young girl being forcefully taken into the church. Later, he realizes she is under distress, an image that haunts him deeply. Murphy delivers a powerful, nuanced performance, expressing Bill’s inner turmoil through subtle gestures and expressions rather than explosive moments.

Driven by a sense of moral obligation, Bill asks his wife, Eileen, a poignant question: “What if it were one of our daughters?” Her indifferent reply, “It’s not,” reveals a troubling attitude that many people share — a refusal to get involved as long as it doesn’t affect them directly. This reaction intensifies Bill’s conflict, pushing him to reflect on his painful past, especially as the holiday season approaches, stirring up unresolved feelings.

The film, adapted from Claire Keegan’s novel and rooted in significant historical context, avoids the trap of a grand showdown. Instead, it builds quietly yet intensely through character development and the weight of choices. The tension is palpable, making the viewer reflect on the impacts of silence and complicity within a community.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

Robert Kojder is part of the Chicago Film Critics Association and Critics Choice Association, serving as the Reviews Editor at Flickering Myth.

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