Rating: 
Summary: sadly, its a Sleeper
Review: What makes The Magdalene Sisters such an excellent film is it's strict and unbending realism. This is no typical " catholic high school, aren't the nuns so terrible wink wink" story. It shows the mania that often accompanies religion, and how easily such mania is accepted and then overlooked. Plus, the girls don't escape and then live carefree, happy lives. The film shows how their time spent with the nuns directly damaged them as human beings, esp. in the case of a character called Crispina. But this not a grueling, difficult film to watch, in fact you leave the theater feeling enlightened, feisty and ready to talk about your opinions. This is definitely a film every concious ( and Catholic) person should see!!
Rating: 
Summary: Unflinching and Harrowing: Girls Locked up in Irish Convent
Review: The director Peter Mullan (known as actor playing Joe of Ken Loach film "My Mame Is Joe") saw a documentary "Sex in a Cold Climate" and being moved to tears, immediately started to write the acript of this film. But what made him? "The Magdalen Sisters" is, as many previous reviewers say, about the girls in Irelan living in the 1960s, who were literally locked up in the convent of the title. You know, it was the time of the Beatles and the space age. But why should they be locked up? That is because they "sinned." The opening part of the film traces Bernadette, Rose, and Margaret in pre-Magdalene era. One of them is raped by her relative; another attracted too much attentions from boys; the other having a baby out of wedlock. They are all sent to the place, where they have to work washing the clothes, or sins. The convent turned out a kind of commercial laundries, and the superior sisters there (the film says, at least) exploited the girls to stock the money they hard-earned in the safe. I said girls, but one of the 'sinners' had lived there for 40 years, now in a position to scold the newcomers. The film is superb in portraying these colorful and credible characters. Back to three girls. One of them tries to escape from the institute; after failing that, concentrates on her own survival in that place. Another one is given an unexpected chance of freedom, but ... see what she does, and the rest of the story, which is understandably very episodic. The script does not hold the center as a whole quite well, but it gives a lot of insightful and plausible scenes about the girls in this very harrowing situation. The actors are unanimously great. The most notable one is Nora-Jane Noone who plays most strong-willed Bernadette (and she sometimes shows uncanny resemblance to Rachel Weisz). But the fact is everyone involved is so impressive that it is pointless to note the names here. I only add that the sister Bridget (Geraldine McEwan) in charge of the girls is one of the most terryfying characters I have ever seen, this side of Louise Fletcher in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Peter Mullan (himself briefly appears as Oona's father) in one interview said that Vanessa Redgrave was going to play that role, but even so, I think he has nothing to complain about the change of the cast. But I prasie the film with some reservation. At some places, the film looks too melodramatic in spite of Mullan's intentions. The first ten minutes introducing the girls are superflous, and most of all, I refuse to believe that the priest (even though he suffers from the pain of poison ivy) would act at the altar in front of the guests like that. I know it was intended for a lighter touch, but Mullan simply overeaches himself. And ... were these Magdalene nuns so inhuman and monsterous as one scene depicts, in which all girls, stark naked, had to suffer the most humiliating contest in the world? The film is born out of Mullan'a anger about the system that made "Maglalene Sisters" The result is great, but not perfect, because of that anger, which is too visible on the screen. I am not trying to defend one sect from the others. I just want to say the film does not look well-balanced, or maybe I am tired of seeing too many negative images of Ireland in films. Are there any good news from Ireland? Still, the film is realistic, or too realistic. That is because it has good photography and production designs (actually, it was shot in Scotland). Or, probably, because it cast the non-professionals (some of whom in fact lived in the real-life Madgalene -- Phyllis MaMahon as Sister Augusta was really of the nuns there; Frances Gealy as Sister Jude was also one of the girls.) "The Magladele Sisters" is, for all its flaws (or because of them), very impressive and often uncompromising effort from this talented actor/director. But remember, it is also an uncomfortable and tough ride.
Rating:
Summary: HARROWING EVIL, AND TO THINK THAT ALL THIS WAS REAL!
Review: If you think Holocaust movies show us the sordid face of mankind, you're ill-prepared to see this absolute stunner of a film. Contrary to what some reviewers have said, I do not think this is a one-dimensional anti-Catholic film exploiting gruesome atrocities. It is a fact-based drama about three teenage girls who found themselves in 1964 sentenced to work in a laundry run by an Irish religious order for an indefinite term and under conditions that made most audience members shudder. The asylum in this film is pure, unadulterated evil; a religious doctrine run amuck in the quest for money through cheap labor and in the riotous unleashing of perversity. English judges for centuries have often used a word rarely found in American case law to describe persons and events: "wicked." This film projects an unending parade of wicked people performing wicked acts. It doesn't condemn Catholicism, it indicts the operation by the church in Ireland of one type of soul and body destroying evil. The Church can no more defend the Magdalene asylums than it can the predatory pedophiles in the priesthood. That's the simple reality. You'll find yourself in gasps, if not in tears. Certainly not a film for the fainthearted or those who want their illusions about a bucolic and verdant Ireland filled with dancing and music unaffected by the reality of a genuine tragedy now coming to light. But it's the eloquent and evocative narrative that moves me into recommending it with all my heart. Brillaint!
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and frightening
Review: From the first few opening scenes of the movie, you are instantly pulled into this beautifully filmed, emotionally wrenching, and mentally haunting film. Set in 1960's Ireland, this film is based on true events, and is of the torture (physical and mental) endured in the Magdalene Assylums. Women were sent away for commiting "deviational" deeds. In reality, they are women who are raped, have children while unmarried, or simply flirt with boys. The women are very young, 16,17, when sent into these monasteries, but most ultimately die there. Many lose their sense, and become insane, but when witnessing the torture and torment they under go, you'd wonder who wouldn't. The girls and women are brainwashed to believe that they are working there to cleanse themselves of their sins, when really, their work earns the nuns their money, and on that money they support themselves. The women work day after day washing clothes, cleaning, etc. and are allowed no verbal contact between one another.They undergo sexual abuse,humiliation,physical torment-all of which is really, truly scary. And all for no reason they suffer. This film follows the life of three girls in particular, all true stories, some hopeful, some very sad. I felt this film, while a little rushed towards the end was undoubtedly powerful and emotional.There are some really heart-wrenching moments that I found myself succmbing to tears.The acting was truly very good. The actors were all completely immersed in their perfeormances, it felt as though everything they were going through were real.There was one standout performance which shook the hell out of me, and that was Eileen Walsh, as Crispina, one of the girls there.Crispina is insane, and very weak, and her performance was incredible.I truly believe that her performance was oscar-worthy, and if she gets no notice then that is only because the academy is a bunch of morons with no respect to great film.Anne Marrie Duff(one of the three main girls) as Margaret was also entirely convincing and pleasantly underplayed.That's what I liked about the acting in this film. The director had every right to drain the hell out of his actors, but that would only add a fake emotional aspect to the film.Nothing was overly dramatic or overplayed, which made the film more real and more moving. This film is sure to frighten,move, and shock.Perhaps when in the ending credits you read that the last of these monasteries was closed down in 1996, you'll get a real chill.Up until less than a decade ago, these monasteries were still off and running. In conclusion, if you want to see a great film which will pour you into a whole new world, see The Magdalene Sisters.It's not a film you'll soon forget.And here's another thing you won't soon forget- when two girls run away from the monastery, you hear the sound of their footsteps. Call me a little sentimental, but the urgency of their footsteps will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Rating:
Summary: SUPERB
Review: ...................... It has been suggested by some that this film should be nominated for Academy Awards. This would be a ridiculous travesty as Hollywood is incapable of making a film of this intensity & to parade and compare it with trash and glitz is nothing short of an insult. Remarkable and Haunting
Rating:
Summary: Magdalene Sisters
Review: This is a difficult movie to watch, much like Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes. The abuse the nuns dished out to the girls (in the name of God, no less) reminded me of the nuns back at St. Mary's in Clinton, Iowa. With exceptions, they were bad people, looking to inflict pain on anyone around, especially if you were not a "select student." You will, of course, root for the girls who find themselves in a situation they hardly deserved. Their sin is only to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Overall, if you change the nouns the lessons are universal -- evil comes in many shapes and colors, and the Catholics are not immune. See this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Eye Opening Irish Laundry
Review: Another dreadful item of Catholic history has surfaced. The little known (at least to those in my Catholic circles) travesty of enslaving young girls for being young girls is blown wide open. Many Catholics Schoolers from the Baby Boom Era can shed the cloak of guilt that the nuns so deftly wrapped around us. This film shows how years and years of unbridled Catholic School Convent discipline was converted into slavery, degradation, deprevation and imhumanity. This was all done under the guise of religious zeal. The depiction of the gross existence among the Magdalene Sisters was actually understated in this film. Hundreds of survivors of this Irish-Catholic Holocaust have attested to the angry and sadistic life provided by Women of God. Not surprisingly, the Catholic Church has spoken out vehemently against this production and actually called it rancorous in the Vatican Press. What the so-called Leaders of the Catholic Church do not know it that there is more salvation in this movie than a whole year of Sunday Masses. They also denounced the wonderful movie "Priest". They missed the point there too. God does save souls, but the humans, acting in his name, destroy lives. Seeing this work is a must for everyone. But for Catholics it will let out your reins and set you free.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most disturbing movies i've seen...
Review: I cannot put it in words how i felt when i first saw this movie in the theatres. It is one of the most disturbing enactments based on a true account of 3 survivors. I loved the movie, yet i hate myself for loving it when i consider the turmoil they went through. My heart goes out to Crispina. I strongly recommend this everyone.
Rating:
Summary: I can't believe it's not fiction!
Review: It was a toss-up a week ago at the local independent film theatre, alongside Japanese thriller "The Eye." Opting for a movie we knew a little more about, my boyfriend and I sat down (a few minutes late, but not too late to miss the strikingly poignant opening scene) with our popcorn and slushies to an evening with "The Magdalene Sisters." I don't think any one of us said a word for the duration of the film. We certainly were not prepared for what the projector had in store for us. More powerfully written, filmed and acted than any movie released in the last three or four years, "The Magdalene Sisters" sucks you into 1960s Ireland, where a number of convent-like institutions existed, run by established powers of the Catholic Church. Girls and women were sent away as a means of reform and rehabillitation from actions and characteristics considered morally offensive (both sexual and generally 'deviant behaviour'). Women were forced by the overseeing Nuns to work without pay, sometimes to the end of their lives, as anonymous laundresses. The film delivers its story from the perspectives of several main characters, throwing any attentive audience member for a pitch; one minute sympathizing with a character, hating her the next. The film is impeccably paced, both thorough and concise in its plot and character development. Mullan's execution of detail is scrutinous and elephantine: he creates an inescapable reality that remains long after the credits have rolled. To Catholics and non-Catholics alike, I cannot urge you strongly enough to see this movie: its voice must not go unheard.
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal
Review: I saw this movie last fall at the London Film Festival, and immediately went to see it again when it was released in the States. This is, by far, the most powerful movie I have watched since Schindler's List. I just wish it was being promoted more. The acting in this film was also incredibly striking. Nora Jane Noone is as beautiful and talented as the most famous hollywood actress, and Eileen Walsh deserves an Oscar for her harrowing performance as Crispina.
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