Review of The Secret Scripture (2017) by Kenr — 29 Aug 2018

This should have been one of the great tragic love stories of the decade. It takes a well deserved look at the abuses of Catholic guilt and institutions – as well as the tragedy of undeserved admissions metered out to certain people hidden away in mental asylums of the day.

The approach that director/co-writer (with Johnny Ferguson) Jim Sheridan has chosen, follows an unnecessarily trendy flash-back jigsaw puzzle style. This offers the audience little help to fully comprehend the complex relationships between the principle characters.

Characters are seen talking to each other (very briefly) without giving us the chance to easily identify with them as the focus of the story develops. It’s as if the numerous flash-back-fast-forward device is being used to hide various production problems.

The Irish locations are beautiful and accompanied by a haunting music score that helps add the much need atmosphere. There are very good performances throughout the picture but the situations are presented in a somewhat uninvolving manner.

Make no mistake, this is a sad story indeed but lacks the much needed emotional cohesion to help us fully engage with the vital relationships. Those who don’t mind working harder than should be needed for a standard love story of the era may not mind the convoluted outcome but, many others will need to go back for another look and, this could amplify the stories huge reliance on several rather strained coincidences.

The song that plays over the end titles is nothing less than excellent and packs an emotional wallop to help win over the viewer’s final feelings for this sad but not always convincing story. An ‘upmarket’ sex scene that cements the lover’s relationship is played out in the heroines broken down cottage and even though there is a warm cosy bed in full view the director chooses the small, cold, bare wooden table for this to play out upon - somehow, I don’t quite think so.