The Secret Scripture (2017)

Mara & Redgrave carry most of the weight of the film on their shoulders. Both perform excellently and help audiences to understand and care for the main character.

The Secret Scripture’ is a small scaled character drama that delivers exactly what you’d expect. There is a charming romance, an amusing array of characters and a crowd pleasing narrative. It’s nothing spectacular but it’s effortlessly enjoyable and the powerful lead performances make it even better. With more well known faces amongst the supporting cast it’s definitely well put together and sure to have a good run at the cinema, just in time for Mother’s Day.

The Secret Scripture packs a lifetime – and a long one at that – into a film. It’s not hard to forgive a few easy coincidences and misshapen character arcs, when ultimately what’s on screen is a beautiful, sad and funny piece of cinema.

Rooney Mara has a tricky task as the young, strikingly beautiful incarnation of Rose, who suffers a succession of indignities and outrages at the hands of society and the state guaranteed to provoke incredulity and outrage from modern audiences – particularly here in Ireland, where viewers will be all too aware of the story's shameful historic authenticity.

"It's a difficult role, because there's not a lot to do," agrees the director. "She's put-upon for no reason, so you have to be very careful with how that's played. I think the quieter and simpler it's kept, the better – and Rooney was expert at that."