MovieChat Forums > The Children Act (2018) Discussion > I liked this film but

I liked this film but

posted 6 years ago by huwdj (4566)
2 replies | jump to latest

It’s an Ian McEwan script of an Ian McEwan book and I don’t enjoy his writing so, with that in mind: The cast is great, Emma Thompson is wonderful and beautiful, Stanley Tucci a bit underused, Fion Whitehead reminded me of Ben Chaplin from his Game On days and Ben himself was very very good in the courtroom scene. The rest of the cast was perfect, especially Jason Watkins as the clerk and bonus points for Anthony Calf’s singing. The UK is very lucky to have a great depth of talent when casting films of this kind.
It’s a beautifully made and filmed movie and the sound track is exactly right such that I found myself standing out of the way at the back of the cinema listening as the credits rolled.
But at the end of the day I found it a little bit empty and ever so slightly unsatisfying – which is exactly the way I respond to Mr McEwan’s books so take that as you will.

[–] Tanya (7) 5 years ago

Agree. Adam character felt hollow. I didn't care for him. The legal cases and moral ethical dilemmas were interesting. The first half of the film was better than the latter half

[–] Jes' Sayin' (6349) 5 years ago

I think the story is quite sneaky. What appears to be the A plot -- the story of the boy -- is really the B plot. What looks to be the B plot -- the emotional life of the judge -- is the actual A plot. This seems to be a story about a perfectionist, about someone too involved in her work and neglecting her intimate relationships and what may happen because of that. The boy doesn't matter, really, except as a character who exposes that.