Magdalene Sisters, The
"The Magdalene Sisters" is as every bit hard to watch as it is to turn away from. And that's really saying something.It's no wonder this drama has received such a beating from the Catholic Church, which isn't exactly depicted in the most positive light. Yet, the film is not an anti-Catholic screed. Rather, it's an extremely powerful character study that also sheds some light on some little-known (at least in the United States) events that took place in Ireland during the 20th century — something that reflects at least as badly on that country and its culture as it does the religion.
The film features terrific performances from its mostly unknown cast. The story takes place in the '60s and is shown from the perspective of the title characters, three young Irish women who are put into the custody of the Magdalene sister asylum, where it's hoped they can be "redeemed." However, it appears these "fallen" girls may actually be victims of societal prejudice.
Margaret (Anne-Marie Duff) is there because she wouldn't be silent about being raped by her cousin. Rose (Dorothy Duffy) had a child out of wedlock. Bernadette (Nora-Jane Noone) is simply flirtatious.
None of that means much to Sister Bridget (Geraldine McEwan), the head of the sisterhood. She quickly puts them — and others — to work. And it's hard hard work, washing laundry that brings in a rather tidy sum.
Writer/director Peter Mullan pulls no punches. And yes, that does mean that at times things get pretty heavy-handed. (You could also say he's taken liberties with the real-life stories the film is based on). Yet such decisions were probably necessary. And the resulting drama will stick with you.
The acting is solid, top to bottom. Though Duff's victimized Margaret is probably the most sympathetic character, it's Noone's feisty, fierce Bernadette who is the most memorable (even more so than the tragic Crispina, played with real conviction by supporting performer Eileen Walsh).
"The Magdalene Sisters" is rated R for frequent use of strong sexual profanity and crude sexual talk, slang and references, violence (corporal punishment and violence against women), full female and partial male nudity, a scene depicting rape, brief sex contact, brief gore and use of some racial epithets. Running time: 119 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com