Small Things like These (film)

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.

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

 * Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant
 * Louis Kirwan as young Bill
 * Eileen Walsh as Eileen Furlong, Bill's wife
 * Michelle Fairley as Mrs. Wilson
 * Emily Watson as Sister Mary, the corrupt Mother Superior of the convent
 * Clare Dunne as Sister Carmel
 * Helen Behan as Mrs. Kehoe, owner of the local pub
 * Liadán Dunlea as Kathleen Furlong, Bill's eldest daughter
 * Agnes O'Casey as Sarah Furlong, Bill's mother
 * Mark McKenna as Ned, Mrs. Wilson's farmhand
 * Zara Devlin as Sarah, a young woman from the convent

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. The film is an Irish production with additional funding coming from Screen Ireland and will be co-produced with Wilder Content in Belgium.

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. Deadline Hollywood reported in March 2023 that principal photography was underway, with filming in County Wicklow expected to last for four weeks.

Release
The film had its world premiere on 15 February 2024 at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival. 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.

Critical response
Small Things like These received positive reviews upon release.

Ben Croll from TheWrap called the film a "modest gem". 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." 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". 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". 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".

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. Stephanie Bunbury from Deadline Hollywood lamented the film's lack of "dramatic tension", but appreciated Watson's performance. Writing for RogerEbert.com, Robert Daniels noted that the film has "a promising premise that loses some steam in the final half hour".

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