The Magdalen Martyrs

The script was superb as was the acting. The ending was not ambiguous. Kate sings a song about love which could be interpreted as singing to Jack. However, it's meaning to him evokes a feeling about his mother. He rushes to the hospital and in a gesture of great forgiveness and love, he takes her hand. She has had a stroke and cannot talk, therefore the scene is poignant and touching. Especially as she has been seen in previous scenes as a cold heartless person who has nothing but criticism for her son. After finding out about her experiences in the Magdalen Laundries through the diary of another girl, the way she lived her life makes sense to him. The depiction of the experiences of girls within the Magdalen institution are shown in flashback and are extremely powerful. As are also the funerals of the two boys which show Irish customs perfectly. Iain Glenn's performance is understated, but feels totally realistic - when Cody asks him if he wants to talk about his feelings, he says something like - I'm an Irish male and we use repression.