By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Oscar-winning actor
Cillian Murphy ("Oppenheimer") delivers yet another mesmerizing performance in the slow-burn yet gripping drama
"Small Things Like These," directed by
Tim Mielants ("Wil") and adapted by screenwriters
Claire Keegan ("The Quiet Girl") and Enda Walsh ("The House").
Based on Keegan's acclaimed 2021 novel of the same name, "Small Things Like These" transports viewers to a small Irish town in the 1980s, where life moves at a deliberate pace but carries a weight of unspoken truths. Murphy stars as Bill Furlong, a hardworking coal merchant who owns a modest business delivering fuel to the homes and businesses of the tight-knit community.
Bill's life revolves around long hours of physically demanding work. He wakes before dawn, fatigued and weary, and returns home at night covered in coal dust, his body drained from the labor.
His wife, Eileen ("Songs of Blood and Destiny"), is a steady, loving presence in their home, caring for their five daughters—Joan (Giulia Doherty, "Gretel & Hansel"), Grace (Aoife Gaffney, "Aerlingus: Big Sister"), Loretta (debut, Faye Brazil), Sarah (Agnes O'Casey, TV's "Black Doves"), and Sheila (debut, Rachel Lynch). Though their lifestyle is humble, the Furlongs live comfortably, bound by love and a sense of routine.
But beneath this quiet exterior, "Small Things Like These" explores a community burdened with unspoken secrets. The more we learn about Bill's daily grind, the more we see the cracks forming in this supposedly peaceful life. He is a man of integrity and routine, but he is also bound by an invisible web of loyalty and conscience. The rhythms of his life are disrupted when Bill stumbles upon a troubling discovery that forces him to confront the darker side of his town—and, by extension, his own heart.
In a town where everyone knows everyone, it’s impossible to hide from the truth. The small acts of kindness that Bill has always prided himself on are tested when he learns about the plight of a young girl named Sarah Redmond (Zara Devlin, "The Nightman"), who is living in secrecy.
She is sent to a religious institution, Ireland's Magdalene laundries which are horrific asylums for "fallen young women.” They were usually run by Roman Catholic institutions from the 1820s until 1996.
As Bill begins to connect the dots, he finds himself facing an agonizing moral dilemma. Does he remain silent and protect the fragile order of his world, or does he take a stand against the shadows that linger behind closed doors?
"Small Things Like These" is a quiet and powerful film about morality, conscience, and the cost of doing the right thing. Murphy, in his understated brilliance, perfectly captures Bill's internal struggle.
The film moves at a deliberate pace, allowing tension to build slowly, yet with each passing minute, the weight of Bill's decision becomes even more palpable.
The beauty of Mielants' direction, combined with the delicate writing by Keegan and Walsh, draws viewers into Bill’s world, where even the smallest gesture carries deep emotional resonance. The cinematography complements this intimate exploration, capturing both the allure and the isolation of this small Irish town.
The cast, especially Emily Watson ("Midas Man") who plays Sister Mary and who offers bribes to Bill (Murphy) and his wife Eileen (Walsh) for their silence also adds further depth to the story, portraying the complexity of family dynamics and their faith.
"Small Things Like These" isn't about one man's journey; it's about how communities often ignore the suffering of others, and the personal courage it takes to take a stand and break the silence. It is a superb movie.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
