Small Things like These (film) explained

Small Things like These
Director:Tim Mielants
Screenplay:Enda Walsh[1]
Music:Senjan Jansen
Cinematography:Frank van den Eeden
Editing:Alain Dessauvage
Distributor:Lionsgate (Ireland)
Language:English

Small Things like These is a 2024 historical drama film directed by Tim Mielants and adapted by Enda Walsh from the 2021 novel of the same name by Claire Keegan, and starring Cillian Murphy (who also serves as a producer), Eileen Walsh, Michelle Fairley, Emily Watson, Clare Dunne, and Helen Behan. The film is an international co-production between Ireland and Belgium. Its storyline focuses on Ireland's infamous Magdalene laundries.

Small Things like These had its world premiere at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on 15 February 2024. Lionsgate would subsequently acquire some distribution rights to the film and will release the film in the United States with Roadside Attractions.[2]

Synopsis

Leading up to Christmas in 1985, coal merchant Bill Furlong makes a discovery at a local convent that makes him confront secrets in the Irish town of New Ross.

Cast

Production

Development

It was reported in March 2023 that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon would produce the film via their production company Artists Equity, with Damon reportedly producing alongside Drew Vinton and Jeff Robinov, and Affleck executive producing with Kevin Halloran and Michael Joe. Cillian Murphy will appear in the film and produce along with Alan Moloney via their production company Big Things Films. Ciarán Hinds and Emily Watson were announced to be joining Murphy in the cast. The project was revealed to be directed by Tim Mielants, from a script by Enda Walsh.[5] The film is an Irish production with additional funding coming from Screen Ireland and will be co-produced with Wilder Content in Belgium.[6]

Filming

The Irish Independent reported in late 2022 and early 2023 that shooting locations for a film of the book were being sought in New Ross, County Wexford.[7] [8] Deadline Hollywood reported in March 2023 that principal photography was underway,[9] with filming in County Wicklow expected to last for four weeks.[10]

Release

The film had its world premiere on 15 February 2024 at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival.[11] In June 2024, Lionsgate acquired distribution rights to the film for North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland, teaming up with Roadside Attractions for the American release.

Reception

Critical response

Small Things like These received positive reviews upon release.[12]

Ben Croll from TheWrap called the film a "modest gem".[13] Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian gave the film four out of five stars and described it as an "absorbing, committed drama", stating: "I was so rapt, so caught up in this film, that I wasn't aware that it was going to be the ending until the screen faded to black."[14] James Mottram from Radio Times also gave the film four out of five stars and called it an "understated drama that's miniature in scale but not ambition".[15] Tim Robey from The Telegraph described it as "a tight-lipped Irish drama even more suffused with sadness than the log-line implies, and shouldered with hypnotic grace by a very special Cillian Murphy".[16] Guy Lodge from Variety praised Murphy's performance, describing him as the film's "live emotional current" and saying that "Small Things Like These rests on both his quiet and his disquiet as an actor".[17]

David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter called the film a moving, "somber, unhurried drama" and appreciated Murphy and Watson's performances. Jonathan Romney from Screen Daily highlighted Murphy and Walsh's performances, Mielants's direction and Walsh's writing, which is "largely faithful" to the novel. Rachel Pronger from IndieWire called the film a "subtler, a genuinely profound low-key gem" and appreciated Walsh's writing and Murphy, Watson and Walsh's performances.[18] Stephanie Bunbury from Deadline Hollywood lamented the film's lack of "dramatic tension", but appreciated Watson's performance.[19] Writing for RogerEbert.com, Robert Daniels noted that the film has "a promising premise that loses some steam in the final half hour".[20]

Accolades

At the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, Emily Watson won the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance for her portrayal of Sister Mary.[21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Small Things Like These. Berlinale. 15 February 2024. 16 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240216042050/https://www.berlinale.de/en/2024/programme/202415260.html. live.
  2. Web site: Galuppo . Mia . 5 June 2024 . Cillian Murphy Irish Drama ‘Small Things Like These’ Lands at Lionsgate . The Hollywood Reporter.
  3. Web site: ‘Small Things Like These’: Berlin Review. Romney. Jonathan. 15 February 2024. Screen Daily. 15 February 2024. 16 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240216213218/https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/small-things-like-these-berlin-review/5190562.article. live.
  4. ‘Small Things Like These’ Review: Cillian Murphy Is Superb as a Haunted Man in Subdued but Powerful Irish Berlin Opener. Rooney. David. 15 February 2024. The Hollywood Reporter. 15 February 2024. 16 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240216072929/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/small-things-like-these-review-cillian-murphy-1235825750/. live.
  5. Web site: Cillian Murphy and Ciarán Hinds to Star in Movie Adaptation of 'Small Things Like These'. Adam. Luchies. 20 March 2023. 20 March 2023. Collider. 20 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230320185152/https://collider.com/cillian-murphy-ciaran-hinds-cast-small-things-like-these/. live.
  6. News: Tartaglione . Nancy . Cillian Murphy To Star In & Produce 'Small Things Like These' Backed By Ben Affleck & Matt Damon's Artists Equity . 20 March 2023 . Deadline . 20 March 2023 . 3 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603061135/https://deadline.com/2023/03/cillian-murphy-small-things-like-these-ben-affleck-matt-damon-artists-equity-ciaran-hinds-emily-watson-1235304350/ . live .
  7. Web site: David. Looby. Cillian Murphy visits Wexford to scope out location for adaptation of Claire Keegan's Booker Prize-nominated novel. 9 November 2022. Irish Independent. 20 March 2023. 16 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240216213221/https://m.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/new-ross-news/cillian-murphy-visits-wexford-to-scope-out-location-for-adaptation-of-claire-keegans-booker-prize-nominated-novel/42129175.html. live.
  8. Web site: Looby . David . Cillian Murphy lined up to star in New Ross based film . 20 March 2023 . Irish Independent . 8 February 2023 . 10 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230210193951/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/news/cillian-murphy-lined-up-to-star-in-new-ross-based-film-42332044.html . live .
  9. Web site: Cillian Murphy To Star In & Produce 'Small Things Like These' Backed By Ben Affleck & Matt Damon's Artists Equity. Nancy. Tartaglione. 20 March 2023. 20 March 2023. Deadline Hollywood. 3 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230603061135/https://deadline.com/2023/03/cillian-murphy-small-things-like-these-ben-affleck-matt-damon-artists-equity-ciaran-hinds-emily-watson-1235304350/. live.
  10. Web site: Principal photography begins on Small Things Like These in Wicklow. 20 March 2023. The Irish Film & Television Network. 20 March 2023. Luke. Shanahan. 20 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230320200215/http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4294794&tpl=archnews&force=1. live.
  11. Web site: Cillian Murphy Historical Drama 'Small Things Like These' to Open Berlin Film Festival. Variety. 18 January 2024. 18 January 2024. Ellise. Shafer. 18 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240118111221/https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/cillian-murphy-small-things-like-these-open-berlin-film-festival-1235876149/amp/. live.
  12. News: Small Things Like These: Cillian Murphy's new Irish drama earns rave reviews at Berlin Film Festival. Irish Mirror. 16 February 2024.
  13. Web site: ‘Small Things Like This’ Review: Cillian Murphy Anchors Melancholic Tale of Yuletide Loneliness. Croll. Ben. 15 February 2024. TheWrap. 15 February 2024. 15 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240215220750/https://www.thewrap.com/cillian-murphy-small-things-like-this-review/. live.
  14. News: Small Things Like These review – Cillian Murphy’s piercingly painful Magdalene Laundries drama. Bradshaw. Peter. Peter Bradshaw. 16 February 2024. The Guardian. 16 February 2024. 16 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240216122654/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/feb/16/small-things-like-these-review-magdalene-laundries-cillian-murphy. live.
  15. Web site: Small Things Like These review: Cillian Murphy is superb in subtle drama. Mottram. James. 16 February 2024. Radio Times. 16 February 2024.
  16. Web site: Small Things Like These: Cillian Murphy mesmerises in his first post-Oppenheimer role. Robey. Tim. 15 February 2024. The Telegraph. 15 February 2023. 15 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240215220751/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/small-things-like-these-review-cillian-murphy/. live.
  17. ‘Small Things Like These’ Review: Cillian Murphy Brings Quiet Intensity to a Mournful Irish Moral Drama. Lodge. Guy. 15 February 2024. Variety. 16 February 2024. 16 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240216052720/https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/small-things-like-these-review-cillian-murphy-1235911791/. live.
  18. Web site: ‘Small Things Like These’ Review: Cillian Murphy Gives Another Staggering Performance in Profound Irish Gem. Pronger. Rachel. 15 February 2024. IndieWire. 15 February 2024. 15 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240215205525/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/small-things-like-these-review-cillian-murphy-1234954261/. live.
  19. Web site: ‘Small Things Like These’ Review: Cillian Murphy Plays A Father In Torment In ’80s-Set Irish Trauma Tale – Berlin Film Festival Opening-Night Film. Bunbury. Stephanie. 15 February 2024. Deadline Hollywood. 15 February 2024. 16 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240216030417/https://deadline.com/2024/02/small-things-like-these-review-cillian-murphy-emily-watson-80s-set-irish-trauma-tale-berlin-film-festival-1235826556/. live.
  20. Web site: Berlin Film Festival 2024: Small Things Like These, Crossing, Cuckoo Festivals & Awards Roger Ebert. Daniels. Robert. 16 February 2024. rogerebert.com. 22 February 2022.
  21. Mati Diop Doc ‘Dahomey’ Wins Golden Bear at Berlin; Sebastian Stan and Emily Watson Take Acting Awards. Lodge. Guy. 24 February 2024. Variety. 25 February 2024.

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