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The tale is told while following the cases of three girls
Margaret (Anne-Marie Duff), Bernadette (Nora-Jane Noone) and
Rose (Dorothy Duffy) who have ended up virtually imprisoned
without trial for having a child out of wedlock, smiling and
chatting to boys and being raped by a cousin.
Now the logic behind the work-for-nothing in the church laundries
was that these girls/women could atone for their sins through
hard work. More like illegal slavery for my mind and I dare
anyone to sit through this disturbing drama and not feel utter
fury at the inhumanity of that church.
The cast is terrific and they give their true-life characters
such complexities you fair weep for them.
A standout, however, is Geraldine McEwen as the Mother Superior
who kindly old face and demeanour goes against the brutalities
of her regime.
The Magdalene Sisters is not cheerful viewing, but
by crikey it is one superb dramatic movie.
I was gobsmacked at the age of the women represented - many
were old and had obviously spent their entire lives in such
hellholes. What is even more awful is the fact the last such
laundry only closed in 1996.
Says a lot for Catholic charity.
Conclusion: 85% Extras: 20%.
Continued: DVD
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