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.
A Date for Mad Mary
2016
Action / Comedy / Drama / Romance
A Date for Mad Mary
2016
Action / Comedy / Drama / Romance
Plot summary
'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 can'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.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Sweet and sour
A movie with Boring Mary...
A Date For Boring Mary would have been a better title for this non-significant movie. The story isn't interesting at all, at least not to me. Watching a young girl moping around the whole movie, being an irritating brat, is not my idea of a good movie. The acting was okay but the plot just wasn't. If the goal was to make Seána Kerslake playing one of the most boring girls ever than she did it brilliantly because that's exactly how her character came over. To me it was just a yawn fest from beginning till the end. I sure don't get why this movie would be nominated for anything at all except as a good remedy for insomnia.
Worth Watching
Could have been five, but missed a few details. First, the title doesn't describe the essence of the story. Second, the cover doesn't covey it either. OK, picky points over. Third, the ending (some directors are prone to this cutesy & nebulous non-creative trick) leaves the viewer hanging, e.g. wasn't clear who was on the phone. Fourth, we didn't get enough of the background of Mary's character and what sent her to jail. One of the central themes is the transformation of Mary which for some viewers to understand requires more background. The disfigurement of a person is not a trivial matter to not address. Won some awards at an Irish film festival.