A Date for Mad Mary

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.

This was a lovely surprise. I've been watching more Irish films lately and really enjoyed this one. A great performance by the two lead characters and they protrayed the meaning of friendship and the fallouts good friendships can have. The film was a little dark in parts but that didn't take away from the emotional impact. Lovely film.

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 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.

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.