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:

Theo James, Aidan Turner, Rooney Mara

2 wins.

Cast

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

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 | mental hospital | diary | roscommon ireland | protestant | 

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Taglines:

Time doesn't forget.

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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:

Irish Film Board, Apollo Media, Ferndale Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.40 : 1 Anamorphic

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name Joe Brady is the same name as Pierce Brosnan's character in the film "The Nephew" which he produced himself through Irish Dreamtime

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Goofs

When Michael prepares to leave Rose and re-join the war, he dresses in his formal uniform and prepares to go. But he hasn't shaved, which is part of the look of the actor who plays him (Jack Reynor) and not "regulation" for the services during World War II.

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Quotes

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

User Reviews

Beautifully Acted and Directed

Just caught the Gala premiere at TIFF and was stunned by this film.

Vanessa Redgrave and Rooney Mara play older and younger versions of Rose Clear, a woman out of place and out of mind in WWII Ireland. The film is based on the novel of the same name.

The acting in the film is beautiful. Director Jim Sheridan called VR a legend in his introduction to the film and the crowd gave her a standing O at the end. Mara does the incredible job of matching her beat for beat. Theo James (who I've only ever seen in the getting- worse-by-the-minute Divergent series) is downright terrifying as the priest who becomes obsessed with Rose. The photography and direction are top notch as well, and take full advantage of Ireland's natural beauty.

Only criticism is that the plot may be hard to follow if one isn't familiar with the details of Irish/British history. It also becomes a bit predictable, but by the time revelations are made the tears are already flowing so all is forgiven. Otherwise, the story weaves really nicely through the intricacies of being a single woman in that particular time and place. The material is heavy, and rightly so. It's interesting to note the contrast between the way women are treated in the film and the way the plot is so female driven and the two female leads are clearly so respected and credited by their director.

Between this, Una and Lion I wouldn't be surprised to see multiple Oscar nods for Mara.