An Irish social realism for Irish problems?
In this RTÉ production, sixteen-year-old Martin returns from reform school to an overcrowded home, inattentive parents, little opportunity, considerable prejudice, and all-too-frequent advice on the importance of law, order, and property.
Clergy in the film are largely well-meaning. They introduce it and provide commentary – like an episode of Radharc, a popular, long-running Irish documentary series (1962-1996)) – but repeatedly express their own inadequacy for their work.
MacLochlainn and Ó Marcaigh do a grand job, with the help of Stewart, Ireland’s greatest jazz musician. And there are a number of surprises among the cast.
Recommended.
Note: I added this based on the little information I could find. Please feel free to offer corrections. See www.rte.ie/archives/2016/1206/836988-a-week-in-the-life-of-martin-cluxton/