THE MAGGOT

Based on a true story (but with the standard "all characters are fictional" disclaimer), this chilling drama is reminiscent of The Magdalene Sisters, as it examines a horrific aspect of Ireland's Catholic history. But the filmmakers undermine their point with a simplistic script that refuses to allow shades of grey in what should be a complex, disturbing story.

In 1939, William Franklin (Quinn) is the first lay teacher at St Jude's reform school. He's just returned from the Spanish Civil War and is haunted by memories of murdered friends and lovers, then he discovers the same kind of harsh fascism at St Jude's. The school is ruled with a brutal iron fist by Father John (Glen), who thinks the boys are mere animals, un-redeemable brutes who need fierce control at all times. Franklin, of course, has a heart of gold and draws out his students' talents and respect. The story basically centres on two of the boys, Liam and Patrick (Travers and Newman), who develop a strong bond with Franklin amid their particularly horrific experiences.

The story is very strong, as are the performances and filmmaking style, but the screenwriters opt for a hero-villain structure and a Dead Poets Society plotline that weakens the important issues the story raises. Glen's Father John is such a relentless thug that there's not even a glimpse of humanity in him; Warren's abusive Brother Mac is startlingly more sympathetic, even though his actions are equally reprehensible. Meanwhile, both Travers and Newman give brave, moving turns as "bad" boys getting far worse than they could ever deserve. But rather than examine these events in meaningfully, the filmmakers make the film a mere battle of wills between Glen and Quinn. This one-dimensional approach feels corny and contrived just when it should be shocking and cautionary. Like the Magdalene laundries, schools like St Jude's were still in use until the 1980s, and the offending clergy, while transferred away, were never charged with their crimes. It's a real pity that this film doesn't do justice to the victims.

(thanx to RICH CLINE)