To Love and Serve

<p>Ireland late sixties. Four Irishwomen struggle for independence under the coercive control of a Church/male-dominated society. <strong>Della O'Reilly</strong> marries <strong>Ed Egan</strong> and settles into rural life with his parents but his narcissistic lifestyle forces her to leave before the birth of their first child. Ed's father threatens to disinherit him. Della returns. Still Ed strains at the leash but their marriage survives because of the intense chemistry between them.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Joe Lenihan</strong> abuses their wife <strong>Laura</strong> a devout Catholic in drunken rages and she never escapes his clutches until death finally liberates her and their children.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Olive Keating</strong> a strong independent woman in a fractious union with her husband <strong>Mark</strong> argues with him in public breaks a bottle of wine on his head and enters politics. He leaves her for a younger woman. When she is terminally ill Olive lures Mark back.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Margie Malone</strong> a slave in her brother's house endures a culture of stagnation within a disdainful vigilant Church society that pulverises unmarried mothers.</p><p><br></p><p>Ed and Della review their relationship during a marriage encounter weekend and reignite the flames of a once-consuming desire. Finally Della accepts the nuances of human conduct but can never shed the damage to her mind and soul.</p>