The Secret Scripture (2016)

A woman keeps a diary of her extended stay at a mental hospital.

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers:

Sebastian Barry (based on the novel by), Jim Sheridan

Stars:

Eric Bana, Rooney Mara, Aidan Turner

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Eric Bana	...	Dr. Grene
Rooney Mara	...	Rose
Aidan Turner	...	Jack Conroy
Theo James	...	Father Gaunt
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Lady Rose
Jack Reynor	...	Michael McNulty
Susan Lynch	...	Nurse
Adrian Dunbar	...	Dr. Hart
Tom Vaughan-Lawlor	...	McCabe
Pauline McLynn	...	Anne McCartney
Laurence O'Fuarain	...	Detective
Elva Trill	...	Pregnant Woman
Omar Sharif Jr.	...	Daniel O'Brien
Brian Fortune	...	Psychiatric Analyst
Nika McGuigan	...	Chrissie

Storyline

Roseanne McNulty must vacate the soon-to-be demolished mental institution in Roscommon, Ireland that she's called home for over 50 years. The hospital's psychiatrist, Dr. William Grene, is called in to assess her condition. He finds himself intrigued by Roseanne's seemingly inscrutable rituals and tics, and her fierce attachment to her Bible, which she has over the decades transformed into a palimpsest of scripture, drawings, and cryptic diary entries. As Grene delves deeper into Roseanne's past, we see her as a young woman, whose charisma proves seductive. We learn that she moved to Sligo to work in her aunt's café, fell in love with a dashing fighter pilot, and that a local priest fell tragically in love with her.

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | three word title | female protagonist | female mental patient | irish | 

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Taglines:

At the end of your life, what will you remember?

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic content, some sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 October 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tss

Filming Locations:

County Wicklow, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Ireland, Apollo Media, Ferndale Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.40 : 1 Anamorphic

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on Sebastian Barry's novel The Secret Scripture which is one of the McNulty Family series of books.

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Goofs

Eric Bana is driven around in a Volvo 245 Station wagon, but the only time he is shown inside the car it is obviously a sedan model with a sloped roof and rounded rear windows, quite different from the boxy 80s Volvo seen from the outside.

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Quotes

Dr. William Grene: How do you feel?
Lady Rose: Like someone took my soul.

User Reviews

'There's a sickness in people that stops them seeing the truth.'

Sebastian Barry's brilliant novel SECRET SCRIPTURE has been transformed into an eloquent touching film Johnny Ferguson and Director Jim Sheridan. With moody cinematography by Mikhail Krichman and a musical score by Brian Byrne (with a lot of help from Beethoven) and a perfect cast of actors, this radiantly beautiful film should satisfy a large audience – those who love period pieces, Ireland, sweet romance, ad twists of plot.

Roseanne McNulty (Vanessa Redgrave) must vacate the soon-to-be demolished mental institution in Roscommon, Ireland that she's called home for over 50 years. The hospital's psychiatrist, Dr. William Grene (Eric Bana) is called in to assess her condition. He finds himself intrigued by Roseanne's seemingly inscrutable rituals and tics, and her fierce attachment to her Bible, which she has over the decades transformed into a palimpsest of scripture, drawings, and cryptic diary entries. As Grene delves deeper into Roseanne's past, we see her as the young woman Rose (Rooney Mara), whose charisma proves seductive. We learn that she moved to Sligo to work in her aunt's café, fell in love with a dashing fighter pilot Michael McNulty (Jack Reynor), and that a local priest Father Gaunt (Theo James) fell tragically in love with her. The elderly Lady Rose is institutionalized because it was rumored that she murdered her only child at childbirth. Dr Grene and a nurse (Susan Lynch) are supportive of Lady Rose as the story unfolds in the most sensitive manner.

There is much to be praised in this film – the manner in which the conflict between the Irish and the British altered personal lives and relationships, the horrors of the early 20th century insane asylums, the struggle Catholics priests at times endure with their celibacy vows, and the beauty of Ireland – but the cast is so fine that they shine with this material. This is a very fine film.