Amazon Prime has quietly added what is dubbed as ‘best movie in a decade’ boasting what many regard as Cillian Murphy’s ‘finest performance to date’.
That’s high praise, particularly given that the project, Small Things Like These, followed close on the heels of Oppenheimer, the film that earned Murphy an Academy Award.
Released in 2024, the movie now sits among the eclectic offerings of the retail behemoth’s dynamic streaming selection.
Set against the backdrop of 1985, the plot follows coal vendor Bill Furlong, played by Murphy, as he unravels the disturbing secrets shrouded within a small Irish town under the sway of the Roman Catholic Church.
The screen adaptation draws from Claire Keegan’s acclaimed 2021 novella of the same name.
The literary work garnered praise, being shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2022 and seizing the Orwell Prize for political fiction. Echoing its source material’s success, the cinematic rendition too, captivated the critics’ circles.
It has notched up an impressive 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers singling out Murphy’s acting as a highlight and praising the film’s subtle deployment of drama, reports Surrey Live.
A critic enthused: “Small Things Like These is beautifully observed and deftly assembled. It is furious without raising its voice, and heartbreaking without ever resorting to melodrama. This film is an absolute gem, and you’ll be happy you saw it.”
Another said: “Depressing and claustrophobic, dealing with a traumatic past, this is a shattering story of redemption, a truly magnificent film.”
Cinephiles are abuzz over Murphy’s stellar turn in the film, with many baffled as to why the Peaky Blinders star hasn’t snagged an Oscar for two consecutive years. A fan expressed their admiration online, stating: “Best movie I’ve seen in a decade or more. Oscar worthy performance from Cillian Murphy.”
One viewer praised: “Cillian Murphy’s brilliant performance elevates Small Things Like These into Oscar consideration.”
Echoing this sentiment, another added: “Absolutely a perfect gem of a picture. Excellent acting by Murphy! Yes it does run slow but it follows the character’s slow progression to take action on his feelings. Gosh I will watch this again!”
The question of whether to read the book before watching the film has sparked discussion among viewers. One individual recommended reading the novel first for a clearer grasp of the plot, saying: “Powerful, thought provoking and mesmerising. Cillian Murphy is perfect in this role, of course! I do wish, however, I had read the book first as I had to unravel quite a bit of the story whilst watching, that isn’t explained or obvious. Maybe that was deliberate though.”
However, one individual argued that the film surpassed its literary counterpart. They stated: “I had read the book but found the film to be much more intense and powerful. I had known the story for many years but found the movie to be much more thought provoking. You didn’t need to have the eventuality spelled out on the screen to know and feel what had actually transpired . The simple written message at the end was enough.”
Small Things Like These is streaming on Amazon Prime.