Directed by Tom Hooper
Written by Peter Morgan
Starring: Jim Broadbent, Samantha Morton, Lindsay Duncan, Andy Serkis
Release Year: 2006
IMDB rating: 7.8
“If people think that makes me weak... or mad... so be it. That is the path I am committed to. To love the sinner, but hate the sins. To assume the best in people, and not the worst. To believe that anyone, no matter how evil, can be redeemed... eventually.”
The quote above is the essence of this excellent British drama about how Lord Longford campaigned for the parole of Myra Hindley, one of the Moor Murderers. It is implied by the movie that Myra Hindley’s case brought a significant impact for Lord Longford’s life.
Beautifully played, the story was rather an emotional experience to me. Jim Broadbent played brilliantly, displaying that spirit and persistance in Lord Longford’s character, as well as somehow a deep disappointment and possibly regret, but never anger towards Myra Hindley nor Ian Brady. Myra Hindley was played by Samantha Morton who, also very good, while Andy Serkis portrayed Ian Brady. Lady Longford was played by Lindsay Duncan who was equally great in portraying a wife frustrated (but later understood and accepted it) by her husband’s campaign over the parole of one of England’s most notorious female serial killer.
The plot was great. I felt like I wanted to condemn the killings of five children, but on the side of Lord Longford’s argument, it was also valid (in my view) to be forgiving. Not to love the sins, but not to hate the sinners. Of course, if I was at the side of the family of the victim’s side, I would probably have a very different opinion. This movie, I believe, was about forgiveness rather than condemning the evil, because that’s what Lord Longford’s character really was. Mocked by the public by his Hindley’s campaign and also by his anti-porn campaign, Lord Longford kept on doing what he had been doing, even near after his death in 2001 at the age of 95.
The strength of the movie is in the acting performance of the cast. All of them did well to make this movie one of my favorites. The story, however, was clever enough to drag the audience's focus on the outrageous crime, but rather on the faithful and compassionate efforts of Lord Longford.
Final score: 9.0.
Written by Peter Morgan
Starring: Jim Broadbent, Samantha Morton, Lindsay Duncan, Andy Serkis
Release Year: 2006
IMDB rating: 7.8
“If people think that makes me weak... or mad... so be it. That is the path I am committed to. To love the sinner, but hate the sins. To assume the best in people, and not the worst. To believe that anyone, no matter how evil, can be redeemed... eventually.”
The quote above is the essence of this excellent British drama about how Lord Longford campaigned for the parole of Myra Hindley, one of the Moor Murderers. It is implied by the movie that Myra Hindley’s case brought a significant impact for Lord Longford’s life.
Beautifully played, the story was rather an emotional experience to me. Jim Broadbent played brilliantly, displaying that spirit and persistance in Lord Longford’s character, as well as somehow a deep disappointment and possibly regret, but never anger towards Myra Hindley nor Ian Brady. Myra Hindley was played by Samantha Morton who, also very good, while Andy Serkis portrayed Ian Brady. Lady Longford was played by Lindsay Duncan who was equally great in portraying a wife frustrated (but later understood and accepted it) by her husband’s campaign over the parole of one of England’s most notorious female serial killer.
The plot was great. I felt like I wanted to condemn the killings of five children, but on the side of Lord Longford’s argument, it was also valid (in my view) to be forgiving. Not to love the sins, but not to hate the sinners. Of course, if I was at the side of the family of the victim’s side, I would probably have a very different opinion. This movie, I believe, was about forgiveness rather than condemning the evil, because that’s what Lord Longford’s character really was. Mocked by the public by his Hindley’s campaign and also by his anti-porn campaign, Lord Longford kept on doing what he had been doing, even near after his death in 2001 at the age of 95.
The strength of the movie is in the acting performance of the cast. All of them did well to make this movie one of my favorites. The story, however, was clever enough to drag the audience's focus on the outrageous crime, but rather on the faithful and compassionate efforts of Lord Longford.
Final score: 9.0.
