A Date for Mad Mary

A film that is original, topical and profound all at the same time! Modern cinema is typified by having a multiplicity of story-lines and an equal diversity of often unintelligible accents. Not so this production! The viewer is taken gradually into the inner workings of several characters by a director who knows how to tell a story with total clarity.

The acting is so exceptional and the cinematography so unobtrusive that I found myself totally engrossed in the reality on screen. Having worked with people not unlike "mad Mary" I found the portrayal remarkably accurate and touching. There is a great balance of sensitivity and humour. Although the story is based in Ireland, this is a tale that will strike chords around the world. This is a very special piece of cinema.

Yes great acting and great actors. Yes a very good soundtrack and some sharp writing and excellent dialog. The relationship depicted between mother and daughter was especially on target. But the the thing that really makes this film outstanding is the existential subtext. Take Irving Welsh and "Trainspotting" and its final last minute narration:

"The truth is that I'm a bad person. But, that's gonna change - I'm going to change. This is the last of that sort of thing. Now I'm cleaning up and I'm moving on, going straight and choosing life. I'm looking forward to it already. I'm gonna be just like you. The job, the family, the big television. The washing machine, the car, the compact disc and electric tin opener, good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, mortgage, starter home, leisure wear, luggage, three piece suite, DIY, game shows, junk food, children, walks in the park, nine to five, good at golf, washing the car, choice of sweaters, family Christmas, indexed pension, tax exemption, clearing gutters, getting by, looking ahead, the day you die."

Becoming an adult is a con game. The con you pull is on yourself. Frankly I have spend the better part of 20 years coming back to what my true core is, and who I really am. Mary is at that "place", where everyone is settling and literally settling into the person that society dictates, that family dictates. Social mores and binding observance of societal "normality" are not for everyone. Sometimes the price is too high.

A Date for Mad Mary feels like the kind of film that if it had a French director and suitable name with a rhetorical flourish it would probably get a standing ovation and walk away with a Palme Dior. Nevertheless, it is a lovely film and very fine piece of film making.

Directing his first feature Darren Thornton does a great job adapting the film from a theatre monologue, 10 Dates with Mad Mary by Yasmine Akram. Akram for the record is best known for her role as Janine in season three of Sherlock.

The premise for the movie is the classic leading protagonist returning to their old world and life after a spell in prison. But a sharp script, elegantly shot, a neat soundtrack and with great all round performances from a largely unheralded but superb cast elevates the drama to top notch cinema.

There is plenty of pathos, laughs and romance as Mary McArdle returns to a life living with her mum and nan, with her best friend getting ready to get hitched and trying to resume the good and bad old times. In the process Mary finds herself searching for a suitable candidate of the male species as her plus one at her friend Charlene's wedding only to find a new and unexpected relationship along the way.

Much of the film's charm is its down to earth, funny and endearing nature. The straightforward but genuine Irish characters interact in a thoroughly engaging, subtly thought provoking and totally realistic manner. Snapshots of life which feel very believable.

And so we see Mary trying to reconcile her previous life and her past where she had the unfortunate mad prefix to her name. But Mary finds that the world she knew has moved on and also has to adapt to situations and new emotions when she stumbles upon part-time wedding photographer and musician Jess.

Mary is brilliantly played by Seána Kerslake as the slightly lost teenager while Charleigh Bailey as best friend Charlene and Tara Lee as the savvy and sweet Jess are also excellent.

A Date for Mad Mary has bags of Irish charm and is a terrific life affirming movie experience.

Neat tense little drama of a strained relationship between two best friends, one preparing for her wedding, the other needing to come to terms with her issues. A little slow, and certainly not a comedy (at least, I didn't think it was funny). Good realistic performances, and the unusual location, set in the town Drogheda, Ireland keeps the interest thru the movie.

On her release from prison a troubled girl struggles to find a date for her best friend's wedding.

Engaging coming-of-age story that balances romance with well observed character difficulties. The intro is nicely judged, and the pace carries us along at a good clip. A few comedy set pieces are underwritten, especially the stuff on the dating agency, so the humour misses out on a few laughs but maintains a light tone. And the direction keeps the simple moral of the tale from falling into soap-opera.

The outstanding element is the performance of the lead actor - she's lively and brooding at the same time, with a gift for the close-up. Other performances are good, although the lesbian lover is not quite convincing.

Music is a bit montagey. Editing good.

Overall: Decent story elevated by a talented actor.