Small Things Like These- watch trailer now. In theaters November 8th, starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson, Michelle Fairley, and Eileen Walsh.
Small Things Like These (2024) is a poignant drama directed by established filmmaker Rebecca Miller, featuring Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson in lead roles. Set in a small Irish town during the 1980s, the film explores themes of morality, community, and the consequences of silence in the face of injustice.
Cillian Murphy plays Bill Furlong, a coal merchant who has spent his life in the same town where he was born and raised. He is a family man, devoted to his wife, Eileen (Emily Watson), and their daughters. The film opens with Bill’s routine life, showcasing the close-knit nature of the town, where everyone knows each other’s business. However, as Christmas approaches, the warmth of the holiday season contrasts sharply with an undercurrent of unease that begins to permeate the community.
Bill’s life takes a turn when he uncovers a dark secret related to the local convent, where the townsfolk have long turned a blind eye to rumors surrounding the treatment of unwed mothers. As he delivers coal to the convent, he discovers troubling truths about the women housed there and the abuse they have suffered. This revelation forces him to confront his own moral compass and the responsibilities of being a good neighbor and citizen.
The film delves deeply into Bill’s internal struggle as he grapples with the decision of whether to speak out or remain silent. Emily Watson’s character, Eileen, serves as a grounding force in his life, embodying compassion and understanding. She encourages Bill to act with integrity, but she too is torn between her love for her husband and the desire for a peaceful life.
As the narrative unfolds, the film captures the tension between tradition and progress, highlighting the pervasive culture of silence that protects the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable. The cinematography beautifully showcases the rugged Irish landscape, serving as a metaphor for the harsh realities faced by those marginalized by society.
Ultimately, Small Things Like These is a tale of courage and the quiet strength found in standing up for what is right. The film invites viewers to reflect on their own complicity in social injustices and the importance of speaking out against wrongdoing. Murphy’s nuanced performance as Bill Furlong is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, while Watson provides a powerful emotional anchor.
Through its compelling storytelling and rich character development, the film resonates with contemporary audiences, reminding us that the smallest acts of courage can spark significant change. Small Things Like These is a testament to the enduring power of empathy and the importance of community in confronting uncomfortable truths.
