Small Things Like These: No Small Takeaways from this Film

 


I'm always impressed with a movie where you don't want to look away from the screen even for a moment. You're so engrossed by the narrative and what the characters are going through. Small Things Like These is this kind of film. Captivating characters, engaging storylines and thought-provoking questions abound in Small Things Like These.

Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy) is one of the more interesting movie protagonists I've seen in recent years. He lives a quiet and simple life, but you want to learn more about him and what he is motivated by. Thankfully, the film provides more information about Bill as the story progresses. You like him a lot and want to see him succeed. The antagonist, Sister Mary (Emily Watson), presents a strong contrast to Bill. Sister Mary is a cruel and conniving person. To see Bill and Sister Mary interact is enthralling. The tension is palpable as the characters could not be further apart in what they see as being right and acceptable.

The central conflict in Small Things Like These involves Bill grappling with what he should do with some startling truths he's learned about. Bill's upbringing and his current family dynamic impact his decision-making. This is a brilliant performance from Cillian Murphy as you can really see what his character is processing as he goes about his life and what has happened recently. The storytelling has you so expectant of what will come of everything. The movie ends at the exact moment it should (which is rare) and it feels earned. I'll start to wrap up this review with some questions Small Things Like These left me with and will guide ways you can look at the film.

What would you do in Bill's shoes? How can those in power become like Sister Mary? Why does the church exert so much influence in the small town Bill lives in (take note of how the church is framed and when you hear church bells while watching)? Why can doing the right thing be so difficult? 

Small Things Like These is an understated, but special movie and I hope you get as much out of it as I did. Thank you as always for reading my reviews.

Rating:

Green Light

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