Like the friend I watched this with, we thought Steve Coogan was the 'son' for the first 30 minutes of the movie! The promo trailers had probably given us that impression...
On reflection, the cruel removal of child from mother does seem almost barbaric in these days and times. Back then of course, in conservative catholic Ireland it would have been normal, accepted practice for under-age 'girls' to give up their babies for adoption.
Elsewhere in the world backstreet abortion might have been society's preferred 'option'?
Which option was the more moral? The pro-choice and pro-life brigades of today would argue both points. Abortion wasn't mentioned in this movie and thank heavens for that.
Today of course, under-age mothers are given choices and 'society' does provide safety-nets.
Dame Judi gives it her best and this could be Steve Coogan's first serious success at straight acting. He'll need a few more serious roles under his belt before he exorcises his Alan Partridge persona...
On reflection, the cruel removal of child from mother does seem almost barbaric in these days and times. Back then of course, in conservative catholic Ireland it would have been normal, accepted practice for under-age 'girls' to give up their babies for adoption.
Elsewhere in the world backstreet abortion might have been society's preferred 'option'?
Which option was the more moral? The pro-choice and pro-life brigades of today would argue both points. Abortion wasn't mentioned in this movie and thank heavens for that.
Today of course, under-age mothers are given choices and 'society' does provide safety-nets.
Dame Judi gives it her best and this could be Steve Coogan's first serious success at straight acting. He'll need a few more serious roles under his belt before he exorcises his Alan Partridge persona...