Small Things Like These
The ending forSmall Things Like Theseis both heartwarming and harrowing.
She subtly threatens and bribes Bill to keep quiet about everything he’s seen.
It is also clear from their interaction that even Bill is nervous about Mother Mary.
Despite this, Bill offers help to one of the girls and eventually does help Sarah.
His act of kindness is what both Bill and Sarah need.
His act of kindness is what both Bill and Sarah need.
Custom image by Yailin Chacon
It’s understood in the movie that Bill’s mother was a servant to a rich woman.
Bill’s mother could not provide much for him, which frustrated him due to her lack of choices.
When she tragically died, Bill felt guitly and never forgave himself for her death.
Bill Furlong, a coal merchant, uncovers dark secrets at a convent that lead him to confront his past and the silent complicity of his Church-influenced Irish town.
This baggage factored heavily into Bill’s overwhelming desire to help inSmall Things Like These.
The film even shows this at the end.
Although Bill’s family wasn’t involved in his choice, they will feel the impact of his actions.
Bill Furlong has been struggling to connect with his family throughout the film.
The moment he connects with poor Sarah is a turning point in Bill’s arc.
One that probably won’t go over well with his wife, Eileen.
They were enjoying themselves in another room when Bill and Sarah entered.The room goes silent.
Then the screen goes black.Their shock could be felt through the screen.
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He struggles with his past youth and the traumatic death of his mother.
The responsibility grows for Bill as the story progresses.
Bill’s warm heart drives him to perform small acts of kindness that others may question.
The difference is that he knows he’s making the morally right decision.
What Happened To The Convent After Small Things Like These?
Theseinfamous asylums depicted inSmall Things Like Thesewere the subjects of inquiries, reparations, and scandal.
People in the town know about it but leave the issue alone.
The sudden, ambiguous ending tells us that any repercussions of Bill’s actions do not matter to him.
The only thing that mattered was doing the right thing, which was saving Sarah.
Once Bill overcame his past trauma, he could save Sarah without fear.
A poignant story about powerful institutions & their influence.
It does a lot with little dialogue, leading to something rich & thought-provoking.
However, not all fans were impressed with the film, and especially its quiet ending.
One RT review read, “Slow moving and tedious with a less than satisfying ending.
We wonder throughout the movie what is going on in the convent without ever really finding out.
Its necessary to look at other sources after watching the movie to make more sense of it.”
There was also aRedditthread that broke down theSmall Things Like Theseending.
Many fans there seemed to love the open-ended ending.
One Redditor wrote, “I love how it leaves it open what happens afterwards.
Will his family suffer for his decision to help this girl?
Will it do any greater good or is it just one girl saved?
