Directed By: Darren Thornton
Written By: Darren Thornton & Colin Thornton
Based On The Play By: Yasmine Akram
Cinematography By: Ole Bratt Birkeland
Editor: Tony Cranstoun & Juangus Dinsmore
Cast: Seana Kerslake, Charleigh Bailey, Norma Sheahan, Tara Lee
'Mad' Mary McArdle returns to Drogheda after a short spell in prison - for something she'd rather forget. Back home, everything and everyone has changed. Her best friend, Charlene, is about to get married and Mary is to be her maid of honour. When Charlene refuses Mary a 'plus one' on the grounds that she probably couldn't find a date, Mary becomes determined to prove her wrong. 'A Date for Mad Mary' is a tough and tender story about friendship, first love, and letting go of the glory days.
The title makes this movie sound like either a wacky romantic comedy or an after school special if you can remember what those were.
What you get is actually an Irish film that catches you off guard and wins you over. It doesn’t revolutionize your world, but like the similar KISSES it does kind of charm you and impresses. As it stays sincere and delivers all that it seeks successfully, clearly and leaves itself to be identifiable with certain members of the audience. As sometimes a movie just comes along at the right time and just floors you impressed you so much especially with what looks like so little.
A small movie that’s more character driven with a fair share of events that are revealing that could have easily turned into a gimmick laden romantic comedy. But stays dramatic.
It’s more a character driven story where it seems. It will be more about redemption and coming of age. Then it blind sides you (like the character) with a love story. A same sex love story as a matter of fact that becomes part of the narrative but doesn’t take over nor does it solve everything. It more complicates things.
The character feels like she is the only one who is being true, but is blind that everyone is moving on and staying true. While she stays the same and while her care she has hardly been better. One of the only times she seems to recognize her errors is when she see’s one of her former victims. Who says so much in silence in one scene that is resonating and uncomfortable. Especially after we have gotten to know and enjoy Mary.
This is a tale many will be able to identify with, yet holds nothing sacred or holier than thou and stain mainly quite clean and clear. It’s charming and filled with subtle powerful believable performances.
It’s impressive as our lead makes plenty of mistakes and while you understand her you also cringe when you can tell she is making a bad decision. As she has a hair trigger that you wonder is she not really this angry or only because she looks so alienated and holdings in her emotions and this is her realest through violence.
Though this film isn’t action packed it takes he audience on A journey.
It’s a same sex relationship the movie doesn’t go over the top to make it topical or all about it. It just presents it as something that happens and natural that Those around her but isn’t a dramatic point or a stunt to show bigotry around it. The scenes feel filled with so much truth especially when Mary goes to see the photographers band play and kind of ruins it out of desperation, revenge but also just to see her again
It also goes on to showcase the strength of friendship that even after fights or going awry and away. You can’t help but care about one another and that bond still exists
Grade: B
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