Amazon Prime has quietly added one of the best films of last year to its library, meaning customers can now stream a film that critics have called “powerful” and “outstanding”. Small Things Like These stars Cillian Murphy in his first post-Oppenheimer role and sees the actor take on the lead part in a harrowing story which has its roots in true historical events. The film, which was released in cinemas in November last year, is based on the best-selling 2020 novel by Claire Keegan.
Small Things Like These follows Bill Furlong (Murphy) who discovers some dark truths about the convent in his small Irish seaside hometown. The film delves into the scandalous events that unfolded in Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries, often referred to as ‘Mother and Baby Homes’ that were in operation throughout the 20th century and housed women who became pregnant out of wedlock. These women often faced cruel conditions as well as forced adoption of their newborn babies.
The film was added to Amazon Prime Video for UK streamers on May 12 and is set to have viewers gripped with a storyline that reviewers have said sucks you in. Small Things Like These has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 94 percent based on over 100 critic reviews.
Meanwhile, its audience score is slightly lower but still impressive at 81 percent. Viewers praised this film for its gripping storyline and Murphy’s stellar performance. One person wrote: “Brilliantly understated performances—in a well-crafted visual presentation—tell a powerful story. Well done.”
Another said: “A slow yet tense film, featuring a moving performance by Murphy that leaves you uneasy. The cinematography is grim and dark, perfectly matching the theme.”
A third shared: “Small Things Like These is a quietly powerful, profoundly moving film based on real life events. It burns slowly with a certain nuanced power. This wonderful film is based on Claire Keegan’s highly acclaimed novel of the same name and having read that book recently I can report that the film is very faithful to its source.”
Small Things Like These takes place in a small Irish town during Christmas in 1985 wen these Magdalene Laundries were still in operation. These institutions were run by the Roman Catholic Church and it is estimated that around 30,000 Irish women suffered in these homes.
Revelations about these cruel institutions have come to light in recent years, including forced adoption and hard labour. Mass graves have also been discovered in places like Tuam in the west of Ireland.
There have been a number of critically acclaimed films focusing on the Magdalene Laundries in the past, incuding Philomena starring Dame Judi Dench in 2013 and 2002’s The Magdalene Sisters.
As well as Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, Small Things Like These also stars Emily Walshand Ciarán Hinds. Speaking in an interview with GQ about the film, Murphy said that when he first read the novel it “floored” him. He revealed: “The book had really stayed with me and I kind of hadn’t stopped thinking about it.”