Imagine you've seen a bad movie, and yearn for something to remove its aftertaste, something to restore the balance. Or you've been on Instagram way too long, and your overstimulated brain needs something that provides the right, healthy kind of stimulation — the emotional and intellectual kind: to essentially rewire your brain and calm it down. The antidote? The latest Cillian Murphy film, ‘Small Things Like These’, just out on Prime Video.
'Small Things Like These' was my favorite film of 2024. I waited for it to release on Indian streaming platforms to write a full review. Now that it's here, I can say it's a film that appears simple but carries deep emotions, albeit delivered in a gentle manner. Cillian Murphy gives his best performance since 'Oppenheimer.' Don't expect the same filmmaking style—these are, after all, different filmmakers.
Based on Claire Keegan's novel, 'Small Things Like These' is an excellent book-to-film adaptation. Set in 1980s Ireland, Murphy plays Bill Furlong, a coal merchant severely affected by childhood tragedy. His performance relies on body language; his face often says more than his lines. When he speaks, it's slow and quiet, with no aggression, in stark contrast to 'Peaky Blinders.' He conveys a character burdened by lugging coal and filled with empathy and unfulfilled wishes. He cannot sleep. He pulls up a chair and stares at his bedroom window, spotting people who may be passersby or a memory of his own parents. The film relies, admirably, on such beautiful visual flourishes without spelling everything out for the viewer.
I must warn you that this is not a film for those seeking some high-energy, fast-paced drama that delivers all the information in 30 seconds rather than unraveling everything bit by bit over its nearly 100-minute runtime. There is a sweet scene where Murphy and Eileen Walsh (as Bill's wife) sit in front of a fireplace and discuss what gifts they would give each other. There is another scene with the two, relatively more stirring, reflecting on acts of benevolence. It’s a particularly thought-provoking exchange, since it triggers introspection on how the more privileged can afford to take risks in this regard, as opposed to those burdened by heavy responsibilities in their personal space.
Credit to director Tim Mielants, cinematographer Frank van den Eeden, and editor Alain Dessauvage for allowing the characters to breathe and giving us a great sense of mood, time, and place. Their approach is very measured and graceful, akin to that found in classical cinema. Interestingly, one powerful moment is edited in such a manner that recalls Nolan's crosscutting approach in 'Oppenheimer', when the past and present are intertwined through a particularly edgy gesture.
There are two other big names involved in this film, albeit in a producing capacity: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, through their joint venture Artists Equity, with Murphy as co-producer. Notably, Murphy and another co-producer, Alan Moloney, are releasing another film in October, on Netflix, by the same director. Titled 'Steve', the film has Murphy playing the head teacher of a reform school housing troubled children. Having seen 'Small Things Like These' twice already, I can't wait to see what they have cooked up in 'Steve'.
Film: Small Things Like These
Director: Tim Mielants
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Eileen Walsh, Michelle Fairley, Clare Dunne, Helen Behan, Emily Watson
Rating: 5/5