Review of The Magdalene Sisters (2002) by Matthew L — 05 Oct 2009

This film was a truly harrowing experience. The Magdalene Sisters is the true story of young women forced into slave labor because they committed "sins" of the flesh. These included: being the victim of rape, having a child out of wedlock, and flirting with boys; as in the cases of the three main characters.

Set in Ireland, in 1964, the film tells of the story of Margaret (Anne-Marie Duff), Bernadette (Nora-Jane Noone), and Rose (Dorothy Duffy), who are locked away indefinitely in The Magdalene Sisters' Laundry. However, this "laundry" is actually a Convent/Asylum in which Catholic Sisters humiliate, degrade, and torture the young girls in the name of God, so that they may repent for their "sins.".

Over the course of four years, the women are beaten down, stripped of hope, and forced to believe they are going to Hell because of circumstances beyond their control. All the while, the Sisters get sadistic pleasure from witnessing the girls suffering.

The performances are excellent across the board, and the cinematography provides the perfect claustrophobic atmosphere to deliver the full emotional impact of the story. The Magdalene Sisters is a phenomenal piece of filmmaking that begs to have its message heard.