THE CHILDREN ACT
As her marriage to Jack (Stanley Tucci) flounders, eminent High Court judge Fiona Maye (Emma Thompson) has a life-changing decision to make at work - should she force a teenage boy, Adam (Fionn Whitehead), to have the blood transfusion that will save his life? Her unorthodox visit to his hospital bedside has a profound impact on them both, stirring strong new emotions in the boy and long-buried feelings in her.
Director:
Richard Eyre
Cast:
Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Fionn Whitehead, Ben Chaplin
Screenplay:
Ian McEwan
Screening Date:
Sep 08, 2018
Studio:
A24/DIRECTV
Running Time:
1 hour 45 minutes
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66.0% | 33.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
“What an extraordinary film. All the performances were subtle and complex. I appreciated that the secondary characters as well, each one was 3 dimensional and adding to the fullness of the overall experience. A terrific story of a woman, a judge, a marriage at a breaking point.”
“Well done. Did not read the book, but may now. Emma and Stanley so wonderful.”
“Compelling film, not quite as intriguing as the book. The acting especially Emma Thompson was excellent.”
“What an exquisite film from a delicate novel. So often, films do not do justice to novels but this film meets the book head on. Excellent casting exquisitely crafted and the pacing only heightens the quiet explosion going on in this judge’s mind and life. Ian McEwan is my favorite author and I am always suspect on how his films are translated to the screen but this is sheer perfection, including the music. Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci could not be better choices. The book is very cinematic, especially the visuals of the apartment and the rainy nights in New Castle.”
“Amazingly THE CHILDREN ACT plays as taut as a thriller at least through the first 3/4. It is shot and moved at a pace that draws you in and literally has you on the edge of your seat. Emma
Thompson’s performance is so real and mesmerizing and moving, she certainly deserves to be nominated come Oscar time. The final quarter of the film is unfortunately where it doesn’t maintain the same level of the feeling of truth as presented up to that point. The relationship between the judge and Adam is not as believable as it could have been. I wish it had been more fully expressed. The overall impact would have been much more powerful but, with that said this is still an excellent film that I would encourage everyone to see.”
“Acting, cinematography was magnificent.”
“Incredibly done with a lot to think about. A beautiful film. Excellent acting. I loved it!”
“A superb film on almost every level. As character studies go this should be the role model for future filmmakers. Even the minor characters such as Emma Thompson’s assistant or the social worker or the hospital staff are – in a few brief moments of screen time – rendered as complete and caring people, not just – in the worst sense of the word “extras.”
“OMG! Stupendous, powerful, brilliantly rendered and so penetrating. I am totally done in by it. Thank you so much again John.”
“Finally, an adult film beautifully written, drawn and presented, as gripping as a thriller, but with choices that to some extent we all share and face.”
“Tucci is one of my favorite actors, but I felt he was miscast here. Surely a fine Brit could have played the role just as well with far more believability.”
“Thank you, thank you – double thanks for our two wonderful guests, literally two of the finest people working in film and theater today. What a pleasure to hear them share their work with us!”
“Beautifully filmed and superbly acted. The look and feeling are wonderful. I read it in my book club quite a while ago. I realized the main thing I remembered was the legal aspect and not the incredible emotional journey of the film. The film certainly touches on the cost of emotional detachment this judge has to maintain to be effective. It is so sad to see the young man’s reaching out for attachment and her professional rejection.”
“Beautifully done. Wonderful acting, especially Emma and Stanley. Tough choices for smart/educated people. That’s life.”
“Emma is amazing! It is most definitely her movie.”
“Superb acting. Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci are Oscar candidates. A real tear jerker.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
https://youtu.be/hoKvtNawdS8 Here is a clip from the Stephen Colbert Show, where he interviewed Emma Thompson for The Children Act as well THompson talking about Donald Trump asking her out for a date.
https://youtu.be/wy61muNdv8g Here is an interview with Emma Thompson, Fionn Whitehead, and Richard Eyre for The Children Act.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/14/books/review/the-children-act-by-ian-... In this New York Times article, it briefly speaks about Ian McEwan (writer/screenwritter) and how he created The Children Act.
https://adc.bmj.com/content/90/7/715 This article speaks on Children of Jehovah's Witnesses and Adoloescent Jehovah's Witnesses rights when it comes to blood transfusion in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/may/20/richard-eyre-king-l... Here is an article that has an interview of Richard Eyre about his upcoming production of King Lear, starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/duncan-kenworthy-donates-1-mil-85117 Here is an article on producer Duncan Kenworthy donating one million dollars to the National Film and Television School to help pay for new campus teaching buildings.
Duncan Kenworthy also helped produce the first Arabic language version of Sesame Street: Ifta Ya Simsim. Here’s the Wkikpedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iftah_Ya_Simsim
