The Children Act

Description

The masterful Emma Thompson delivers an exceptionally compassionate performance as Fiona May, a British High Court judge who is given a challenging case that asks her to balance deeply held religious beliefs and the state’s duty to protect children. As her own childless marriage founders, she becomes more emotionally involved with the teenage plaintiff in the legal matter before her. With his keen eye for interpersonal dynamics, Richard Eyre (Notes on a Scandal (2006), Iris (2001)) directs with crisp flair, bringing the story to vivid life. Ian McEwan beautifully adapts his own bestselling novel, and Stanley Tucci co-stars.

“Told with a depth of empathy so profound …, The Children Act is that rarest of things: an adult drama, written and interpreted with a sensitivity to mature human concerns — not just the quite personal complexities of maintaining a 30-year relationship … , but the more broad-reaching tension between the law and firmly held religious belief.” – Peter Debruge, Variety

“Thompson subsumes herself in the role, donning the Justice’s armour of black working clothes, heels, and a raincoat as she discreetly goes about her business. There’s the sense that the actress is relishing this rare opportunity to present the audience with a complex, intelligent, and commanding woman of a certain age, and never lets her character down.” – Fionnuala Halligan, Screen Daily

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