Fantastic portrait of a man of faith doing what he believed was right
Plans to finally sit down and watch the Rules of the Game by Jean
Renoir went by the wayside when I fell into the HBO movie Longford. This is the story of Lord Longford working to try to get Myra Hindley out of prison for child murder. I was vaguely aware of the story prior to seeing the film, but I wasn't really prepared for the twists and turns. Clearly its not about what it seems to be about at first, namely getting an abused woman out of prison. It is ultimately about something else entirely, namely a story about dealing with the mistakes one makes, the ability to change and the ability to forgive. The cast is first rate with Jim Broadbent outstanding as Longford the odd Lord who champions Hindley's case when everyone tells him otherwise. Andy Serkis as Ian Brady, Hindley's lover and co-conspirator is particularly slimy and evil. I really liked this movie a great deal. Forgive me this is one of those movies thats better if you just see it since its just so damn interesting I don't want to spoil it.. I got it!
******some spoilers********
I live across the pond and watched this on HBO. I taped it and watched it a couple times. Had to go to wikipedia to look up some background stuff. But, someone from Britain who commented wondered if we would get it. I got it! And the acting was magnificent. Jim Broadbent was unbelievable and accomplished the most important thing an actor can. I believed him. I saw the compassion of the man (although misguided at times) it seems that Lord Longford was always true to himself and his beliefs. Samantha Morton was so good that I was feeling sympathy for her character for some of the movie. That sympathy left me in the scene when she reveals to Lord Longford, the truth. It was chilling. I always feel that movies can no longer surprise or shock me...so when she tells Lord Longford at the end of the movie "evil can be a spiritual experience, too", I was FLOORED!! So powerful, and unexpected! I noticed also, that her character changed looks like a chameleon. This was a neat trick as it gave us warnings that her internal self was also a chameleon. Tragic, senseless, and heartbreaking murders! What was the motive? I cannot fathom it. Bravo! And keep sending your quality projects over...gives me something to watch! And they took home a few Emmys for this one...I was rooting for them!. |
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