This weekend a beautiful example of storytelling hits the big screen in Ireland. It makes you think about family and reflect on priorities. It showcases the struggle of a loving mum as she tries to keep her family safe and off the streets.
We see 36 hours in the lives of Rosie, John Paul and their young family of 4 kids unfold. They are homeless through no fault of their own. They’ve been “between places”, as main character Rosie puts it, for a number of weeks now that their home of 7 years is put on the market by the landlord. We see them struggle as they search for beds for the night, strive to maintain a regular routine of breakfasts, school runs, playing, washing and homework for Kayleigh (13), Millie (8), Alfie (6) and Maddison (4). What hits hard is this is all happening even though John Paul has a job. This movie really kills any stereotypes that are there for homelessness and sheds fresh light on situations that exist and are growing in our society today.
The screenplay, written by Roddy Doyle is outstanding. The dialogue is so natural, so true and so simple – you feel that you are watching a documentary in parts. This style is also achieved through the choices made by talented director Paddy Breathnach. One decision that stood out for me was that in most part he keeps cameras within the car that the family spend most of their time in. We get to feel how cramped it is for the family -all 5 of them and their stuff in one place and realise it’s been like this for a number of weeks. And we don’t know when this will change for them.
This honest representation is also down to the sublime acting of Sarah Green who plays Rosie. She portrays a strong mother on the verge of breaking but continues to have the strength to keep going for her family. It’s only in the moments of silence when shes on her own that we see that falter subtly in any way – and it’s heartbreaking.
I loved the fact that no matter how hard the situation gets the family unit is filled with love and there are moments of fun that are priceless. However what hits hard with the movie is as an audience we know that if their situation continues as it is this will become less and less part of their story as the mental strain of homelessness takes hold of the young parents and their family.
I can definitely see why this movie was selected for TIFF. It deals with a global issue that needs highlighting and it does it in a way that everyone can relate to. The honest answer is that this could happen to any of us!
I would highly recommend that you see this one.
fidjulie.com 