Song for a Raggy Boy is an excellent and troubling story

Song for a Raggy Boy

Director: Aisling Walsh

Cast: Aidan Quinn, Iain Glen, John Travers, Marc Warren, Dudley Sutton, Stuart Graham, Alan Devlin, Chris Newman

Cert: 15.

Another harrowing tale of abject cruelty to youngsters in a Catholic institution, circa l930s; and a film which won high praise at the Sundance Festival almost a year ago.

Why, one wonders, has it taken so long for Walsh's excellent and troubling story to reach our screens?

The story of the treatment of the young boys in a dismal Cork Reformatory School - based on bio by Patrick Galvin - revolves around the sadistic behaviour of one Brother - a stunningly chilling performance from Glen - and the arrival of the decent lay preacher (Quinn).

It is a film of towering emotional impact, handled with great care by Walsh. It is a film which honestly depicts the events and it is enhanced by the ensemble playing of a fine cast.

Star Rating: 5/5