DECEMBER BRIDE

UK, 1990, 90 minutes, Colour.
Donal Mc Cann, Saskia Reeves, Ciaran Hinds, Patrick Malahide, Dervla Kirwin.
Directed by Thaddeus O'Sullivan.

December Bride is a small-budget British film with a turn of the century Northern Ireland setting. The focus is on Sarah, a young woman of religious background, who comes with her mother to be a servant in the house of a family acquiring properties and becoming part of the new rich society of Northern Ireland.

The film evokes the atmosphere of the time, costumes and decor, the work of the people in the fields, fishing, at the coast. It also highlights religious differences, the role of Catholics, Protestants, Orange Day celebrations. The film focuses, however, on Sarah's life, her response to the two brothers in the household, her becoming pregnant, being unwilling to marry - despite the strong pleading of the local minister. The film asserts Sarah's self-identity, her not wanting to be subservient to men, keeping her own name and for her daughter. At the end she has to make a compromise for the sake of her daughter.

Saskia Reeves is effective in the central role. She has appeared in The Bridge, Close My Eyes, Antonia and Jane. Patrick Malahide is good as the minister. There is a strong Irish supporting cast and direction by Thaddeus O'Sullivan.

1. British production, local production, small budget - universal appeal?

2. The re-creation of the period, sense of place and time, the village and the countryside, the sea and the coast? Northern Ireland? Atmosphere and score?

3. The title, reference to Sarah - her independence, marriage, her finally agreeing to marriage?

4. The sense of place, Northern Ireland and its heritage, the people, social background, religious, non-religious? The rebellion against religion? Traditions, moral judgments, work, morality and the church?

5. The portrait of Sarah and her mother, their background, religious attitudes, Sarah's rebellion, her mother's devotion and reaction to her daughter's behaviour? Servants, their relationship with the Echlins? The situation, Sarah and her mother - and her mother's death?

6. Sarah as the central character, the focus of plot and audience sympathies? Audiences interested in and understanding her? In the Echlin family, on the boat, the experience of capsizing, Andrew's decision to swim away and die? Her relation to Hamilton and to Frank? Fergus and his concern, interventions? Sorleyson and his reactions to her, her behaviour? Her relationships, love, sexuality, pregnancy, decisions, calling her daughter Martha but yet having her own name? Her religious attitudes, bigotry, ignorance of Catholics? Her mother's funeral? The household and her relationship with the brothers? Developing over the years, people's reactions and judgments? The Catholic woman in the house and her reaction? Her daughter, growing up?

7. The passing of the years, her daughter wanting to marry and have a name? Sarah's resisting her marriage, the decision and its motivation?

8. The Echlins and their social status, Andrew and his ambitions, the boat and the capsizing, his decision to die? His sons, their buying properties? Servants? The land? Their relationship with one another, with Sarah? Frank and Sarah's pregnancy? Her refusal to marry? The discussions with Sorleyson? With Sarah's mother? The passing of the years, the work, her decision to marry Hamilton?

9. Fergus, his place in the village, concern about Sarah, moral judgments?

10. Sorleyson, his services in the church, his moral attitudes, housekeeper, his visits with Sarah and her mother, pleading, the attraction to Sarah, the condemnations? The funeral of the mother?

11. The glimpse of the Catholic woman in the house, her attitudes towards Sarah? Other people in the town?

12. The background of work, the scenes at the coast? The church and the services? The funeral? The Orange Day celebration? The final wedding and the culmination of Sarah's journey?