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The
Magdalene Sisters
Plot Summary
Set
in the early 1960’s in Ireland, the film starts by introducing three
young girls. Rose (Dorothy Duffy) has just had a baby. Her parents are
ashamed because Rose isn’t married and they force Rose to give the baby
up for adoption. Margaret (Anne-Marie Duff) is raped by her cousin at a
family wedding and Berndette (Nora-Jane Noone) is in trouble with the
authorities at the orphanage where she stays for flirting with the local
boys. For their “sexual improprieties” the three young girls are sent
to the Sisters of the Magdalene Order. The girls must repent through
prayer and hard work in the laundries that the nuns run…
Review
This is a controversial film
that is based on fact and follows the experiences of three girls who found
themselves in the custody of the nuns of the Magdalene Order. The Catholic
Church in Ireland has been rocked by numerous scandals in recent years and
while reports of sexual and physical abuse cases are shocking, it is even
more real when the abuse is depicted in film.
The film portrays these
laundries, run by the Magdalene Sisters, as virtual prisons where the
girls were sentenced to hard labour. The girls were made to work, in
silence, for hours on end. They were poorly feed and lived in sparse
dormitories and severe beatings punished disobedience.
The film illustrates the
respect and power given to religious Catholic orders and the way some
members of these orders abused that respect and power. Absolute power
corrupts absolutely!
This is a moving film that can
be upsetting and disheartening. Obviously the sombre subject matter
doesn’t lend itself to frivolous entertainment. There are some funny
lighter moments but these are fleeting as the film returns to the
shameful, unjust treatment of young girls who did nothing wrong. As one
girl asks: “What in God’s name have we done to deserve this?”
The acting all round is
excellent and in particular the performance of Eileen Walsh who plays
Crispina, a poor young simple girl who works in the laundry, is memorable.
Lasting Thought: Everyone
should be open to question no matter what collar, badge or uniform they
wear and no mater what title or position they hold. When it comes to the
protection of children blind trust and apathy are not acceptable.
Reviewed by Niall Quinn,
Premier Movie Reviews
2002 |