The Children Act

Entertainment One | Release Date: September 14, 2018

6.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Ratings

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GreatMartinSep 28, 2018

It is not surprising to see a mesmerizing, completely involved performance by Emma Thompson as a British judge who is an expert in family in “The Children Act” law nor is there any question that in any movie Stanley Tucci would do a solidIt is not surprising to see a mesmerizing, completely involved performance by Emma Thompson as a British judge who is an expert in family in “The Children Act” law nor is there any question that in any movie Stanley Tucci would do a solid job, here as the judge’s husband of 20 years but does the name Fionn Whitehead ring a bell? Until I just looked up his credits and even after that I didn’t recognize him or the name as the young man who played the protagonist in last year’s “Dunkirk”.

Whitehead, a 21-year-old, plays a 17 year 9-month-old Jehovah Witness with leukemia whose parents will not allow him to get a transfusion that could save his life. Being under the age of 18 he is not considered an adult and therefore has no say in the decision. This is an actor and a face I won’t forget again and the superb performance he gives with and opposite Thompson!

Aside from being about the judge who acts as the protector, agent and guardian who follows the British Children Act of 1989 we also see the price of a person who has to decide life or death constantly in her private life.

The thrust of the story is really the repercussions after the major decision is made. We also see the workings behind the courts and how a clerk, played by Jason Watkins, has many duties to perform so that all runs smoothly being important to the judge, the court and the law. As the parents of Whitehead, Ben Chaplin and Eileen Walsh don’t get as much time as they should but impress with a decision, no matter whom their God is, parents have to make.

The film, written by Ian McEwan, based on his novel, is an adult drama, a courtroom story, about moral responsibility, love, intimacy and, at points, heart rendering. The direction of Richard Eyre is felt in a number of key scenes though both the writer and director, in small ways, don’t ring true.

“The Children Act” is a must-see film not only due to the performances of Emma Thompson and Fionn Whitehead but also being a picture not heard about that should be making a lot of noise.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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CityOfGeekDec 9, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of three McEwan adaptations this year (see elsewhere for my thoughts about one of the others, On Chesil Beach), The Children Act doesn’t really make an impression. (Can’t believe it’s been ten years since Atonement blew everyone away). Emma Thompson stars as a UK judge who rules on tough cases based around children’s rights – particularly ones with the parents and the law disagreeing. The focus decision and the fall-out from it in the film is based around whether Jevohah’s Witness parents can refuse their 17 year old’s life-saving transfusion. It’s odd in this decision is made pretty quickly into the film, leaving Thompson to puddle along afterwards. There isn’t much drama to drive the film. Thompsons’ judge is a bit weary and over worked, and there are marriage tensions between Thompson and Stanley Tucci, but there is little spark between them to make us care. The 17 year old tries to be a part of her life, his eyes opened to secular things after the transfusion (um.. spoilers?) but not enough time is given to him to truly care.

The Children Act plods along with little drama or tension. It feels lost. Without Thompson or Tucci this film would barely make a blip in the feature pond.

D+… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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moviemitch96Sep 28, 2018

A rather simple yet well-made film. As expected, Emma Thompson gives an outstanding performance. The film raises some intriguing questions about faith, morality, etc. but also feels somewhat simple and pedestrian with how the story was toldA rather simple yet well-made film. As expected, Emma Thompson gives an outstanding performance. The film raises some intriguing questions about faith, morality, etc. but also feels somewhat simple and pedestrian with how the story was told at times. Overall, it's certainly worth a watch due mostly in thanks to Thompson's compelling lead erformance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JLuis_001Jan 12, 2021

Emma Thompson delivers a solid performance in a drama that in my opinion succumbs too much to sentimentality despite its cold aura.

There's the moral dilemma, but the film explores very little of it, and is content to be just aEmma Thompson delivers a solid performance in a drama that in my opinion succumbs too much to sentimentality despite its cold aura.

There's the moral dilemma, but the film explores very little of it, and is content to be just a confrontational melodrama.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DawdlingPoetNov 22, 2021

In a sense this films themes are about realising what you've lost, whats been ignored, in the important things in life - love and companionship. Its quite a thought provoking film. I have read the short story its based on and so I knewIn a sense this films themes are about realising what you've lost, whats been ignored, in the important things in life - love and companionship. Its quite a thought provoking film. I have read the short story its based on and so I knew roughly what to expect and I'd assumed it would be quite a depressing watch but in a way it was actually, perhaps equally uplifting (thanks to the great performance by the teenage boy) and that came as a pleasant surprise. Emma Thompson also gives a decent performance - I very much believed her character was emotionally affected by the case this film centres on.

It is somewhat sentimental and perhaps mildly cheesy but I wouldn't say its unrealistic or mired down in artificiality. I would recommend this film, yes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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