I'm aware of the history of the Magdalene Laundries, behind this film, but that's not why I went to see it - I'd seen the trailer and was intrigued.
This is not a joyous film. It is a slow, intense look at a social issue, from one man's perspective. Set against a background of his own childhood and the moral pressures inherited from that. It's sensitive and thoughtful, although slightly simplistic/black and white - although difficult to be too nuanced, given the subject matter and the need to portray things coherently in a general release film.
Cillian Murphy, Eileen Walsh and Emily Watson, elevate the film above the mundane. The acting is excellent, although low key. One criticism - there's possibly too little dialogue and too many intense looks - for Murphy it's virtually all he does, but he does it very well
As I said above, the dialogue is sparse, so the script has to be, and is, well written. The Direction is suitably subtle and light touch. The acting, similarly, is understated.
I suppose I should have been touched more than I was by this film, but I have a hard heart.
Nevertheless it is an excellent film, and worth seeing if you're up for a bit serious cinema.
