Mary and Martha

This movie pulled at my heart so much and brought tears to my eyes. Such a touching story and great acting by all. There are movies that solely entertain and then there are movies like this that make you think and want to learn more about what you can do to help. It's not a happy/easy movie to watch, but is beautiful and endearing and eye-opening. I think it accomplished what it set out to do very well. Again, it's not an easy movie to watch but I definitely think it is worth the time.

The saddest, greatest movie I have ever seen in a long time. I actually give up watching movies but when I saw that it was based in Africa I decided to watch it. I visit Kenya often and I just had a baby boy and wanted to carry him with. After seeing this movie I think I will carry him when he's older. I was holding my 6 month old son while he slept and wouldn't let him go throughout the whole movie. I was so happy my son was alive and crying for fear if he had died of Malaria or something in Africa and I would feel like it's my fault and it would be. I understand Mary and Martha from experience and a personal level. I suggest other parents watch it too. I may have given some things away in my review but it's words cannot describe a mother's feeling.

At first, I felt that Hillary Swank was not acting like a mother who loves her son, although she takes him to the other side of the world to protect him from school bullies; the cure turns to be worst than the disease, unfortunately. As I'm watching, thinking, feeling the movie is not taking off I began to remember Red Dust, The Million Dollar Baby, Insomnia and other of her films, realizing Hillary has never played a mother. Her son dies from paludism, malaria defeating all the mother's efforts for his protection. To my surprise, Miss. Swank finds another speed and her quality acting begins. She plays a very convincing distressed mother and confused wife, who is lost in a test few of us will ever encounter. Hillary Swank is a consummated Diva of drama, her roll is most enjoyable, a bit sad but the story is rewarding in the end. See this movie.

Yes, yes, yes, watch this movie! Get your Kleenex or Puffs ready. I had to pause the movie to go get mine. I was unaware of this movie. I bought it on a whim. I'm glad I did buy it. I will rewatch this again and again. What a positive and powerful message this film holds for the audience. Enjoy

So many movies portray nonsense. Meaningless scenarios or events that tend to dull, nullify, or even agitate. But this one... This movie INSPIRES. Slices of two perfect worlds it seems. As sometimes our own does. Perhaps not perfect but as okay as we can make it. We go through our daily motions, our jobs, responsibilities, etc, etc. And then something unforeseen happens. That, this...is life! What is so inspiring about this particular work is the courage these two mothers gathered in a time of such utter loss and brokenness. And, that it doesn't happen magically overnight. Also, initially unseen, is the result of their perserverence. They saw a desperate need and pushed through... trying to make a much needed difference. It's a story about real people, hope, tragedy, loss and more hope! I commend everyone who took part in the creation of this "film". Beautifully written, cast, and rendered. Thank you!

This movie was a wonderful movie to watch. Yes it was tragic! But these two ladies, (Hilary Swank as Mary and Brenda Blethyn as Martha) turned their pain into their purpose. This movie was based on a screenplay by Richard Curtis and was not a true story. But I love stories true or not where tragedy is turned into a purpose for helping others. This movie shined the light on how the World Health Organization estimates malaria killed 660,000 people in 2010, most of them African children, but in 2015, there were an estimated 438, 000 malaria deaths. I reccomend it, but if you are a Prime member watch it before May 21st before it is no longer a prime movie, but it is worth buying or renting.

I really loved this movie. Brenda Blethyn is one of my favorites, especially in her series, Vera. Hillary Swank is great, and should have received better recognition for her work,especially in the movie, The Homesman. Is it possible that this movie, Mary and Martha received little attention because it deals with real life and really tough problems?The same could be said of the movie, The Homesman. It dealt with people's lives in truly difficult times and conditions. Maybe we just fail to appreciate talent when it presents to us the gritty aspects of human existence. The story of Mary and Martha allows us a close insight to the grief of personal loss, suffered by each of these two remarkable women. None of us enjoy sorrow, or tragic loss of a young person. Stories such as this help us somehow to understand such loss apart from our own heartaches. I am glad this story was based on a real Martha and her real son, Harry, who died of malaria while working with children in Africa. I wish the Martha character had been given a more active part in the development of the story for television. Time constraints have to be considered. I recommend this movie for all,especially women.

“Mary and Martha” is a good movie. It isn’t great, just good. The camera work was good, the settings were lovely, both in Virginia and Mozambique, and the music was appropriate. The story moved a little slowly, I thought, but I’m not sure what might have been cut to make it move at a quicker pace. The acting, like the movie, was good but not great. I’ve seen both actresses do better jobs in other roles. For some, there will be the negative effect of the political correctness of the film. As has been pointed out, it is generally a better option for individuals to donate to humanitarian causes than for the issue to be dropped at government’s doorstep. On the whole, however, it’s not hard to give it a positive recommendation.

Enjoyed this movie . . . needed kleenex. Appreciated that Mary and her husband worked out their sorrow and came together. Enjoyed "Vera"s" Martha. Eye opener as to the fatalities from Malaria.

Incredible film, so very moving, had me in tears through out. Very well cast and some very deep emotions played out. Some powerful thoughts created by the story line and facts that are not always easy to accept.

Beautifully shot film, very poignant story well acted. I watched on TV first and it remained with me for several days . Looked out for it on the high street with out success.

It's a good lesson in making good things out of bad. Both actresses are excellent, and produced a good old tear-jerker.

I watched this with much anticipation and on the whole it was a good film but it does fall down on the fact that because it was winter in Africa then the risk of getting malaria was minimal. How stupid!! I would have sued the doctor on the phone for saying such a nieve and unqualified statement esp as we live in such a lititious society. I don't think any mother would have taken the risk of not giving their kid malaria tablets just cause it was winter. How reckless of Mary. Their might be less mozzys in winter but they are still about and still are carriers of malaria. Biggest weakness of the film is Mary believed that mozzys are less dangerous in winter cause there are less of them which means you wouldn't get bitten. The whole film is based on a kid dying from a mozzy bite....no mother would put their child at risk of malaria reguardless of what seasonal weather it was in Africa and that is where the film falls down....it is unbelievable that a filmmaker makes a film on a kid dying of malaria cause Mary was stupid enough to believe that mozzys don't bite or artnt around in winter in Africa which is crazy. What planet was the filmmaker on? Also abit stage managed as if it would be that easy to run into a South African hospital and get treatment with no indication of health insurance etc. All too conviniant that Mary's dad was in the senate so that's the only reason she was heard by the committee. No real struggle!!! Made a mockery of volunteer workers as soon as a replacement for Ben was found Martha was dumped....why? She was a volunteer worker just like Ben was so why did she need to be replaced....surely the orphanage could have more than one volunteer worker?? All abit unrealistic and too easy to achieve. If it was that easy to get medicine to Africa then a lot more people would be doing it!!