Mary and Martha

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Mary and Martha

TV-PG

2013

1h 45m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

56%

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16 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

After losing their sons to malaria, two women (Hilary Swank, Brenda Blethyn) dedicate their lives to helping others affected by the disease.

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Critics Consensus

Hilary Swank and Brenda Blethyn deliver moving performances in this well-intentioned drama, but rote storytelling and a shallow depiction of Africa diminishes its impact.

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Tom Meltzer

Guardian

Its story of loss, love, guilt, awakening and redemption -- while artfully shot, tightly written and well-acted -- ultimately served as a vehicle for a handful of familiar and uncomfortable facts about a disease.

Oct 8, 2020

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Jessi Cape

Austin Chronicle

The remainder of the film is captivating, perhaps in part because it taps into humans' innate voyeurism, perhaps because Curtis props open our eyelids to the cause despite the film's missteps.

Oct 8, 2020

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Neal Justin

Minneapolis Star Tribune

It has an important statement to make, but any semblance of a story keeps getting interrupted by the filmmakers' need to remind you that malaria in Africa is really, really bad.

Oct 8, 2020

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Daily Express (UK) Staff

Daily Express (UK)

Written by Richard Curtis and directed by Phillip Noyce, it's sentimental at times but still unmissable viewing.

Oct 11, 2020

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Jasper Rees

The Arts Desk

Mary and Martha is a work of fiction, and it's notably light on comic relief. But the real game-changer is that Curtis here tugged on the heart strings by putting his First World characters in the line of fire.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 8, 2020

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Matt Roush

TV Guide

Mary is headstrong and abrasive, Martha matronly and warm, and the actresses' chemistry makes up for an earnest predictability in the storytelling.

Oct 8, 2020

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Julie R

Fantastic film! Beautiful cinematography and outstanding acting. I disagree with criticism saying it's preachy. There's a big difference between shining a light on an important issue and preaching to the audience. I actually learned a lot from this movie and was touched by the story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/23

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Audience Member

Great great great great movie....

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Audience Member

I would say the generational issue can connect to lots of people. For me, it encourages the ideology of empathy, and also encourage people to be aware of things that look little. I would say it is worth to watch but I would not watch again shortly.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Alexandra H

Sad story but engaging--I enjoyed it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/17

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Audience Member

Wonderful movie!! A tear jerker....fantastic synopsis.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

Had no idea that malaria still claims so many lives. Shameful that this isn't in the headlines. Good story - slow - but absorbing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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Phillip Noyce

Director

Hilary Swank

Mary

Brenda Blethyn

Martha

James Woods

Mary's Father

Frank Grillo

Peter

Ian Redford

Charles

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Synopsis

After losing their sons to malaria, two women (Hilary Swank, Brenda Blethyn) dedicate their lives to helping others affected by the disease.

Director: Phillip Noyce
Screenwriter: Richard Curtis
Production Co: Working Title Television, NBC Universal Television, HBO Films
Rating: TV-PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2016
Runtime: 1h 45m

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