HBO Movie - Longford
Longford was shown a few weeks ago on HBO. As I don't have that channel I was very fortunate that someone taped it for me.
Longford is an intelligent film about the controversial Lord Frank Longford (Jim Broadbent). Longford is a religious Catholic who is into prisoner's rights and very much opposed to pornography. He doesn't just get involved - he gets obsessed. For many years he has championed the cause of prisoners. He believes that everyone should be forgiven. But when he becomes a champion for the notorious child killer Myra Hindley (Samantha Morton) he faces
hostility from his peers.
Longford believes that Hindley was lead astray by her lover and co-killer Ian Brady (Andy Serkis). But even Longford's fiercely loyal wife Lady Elizabeth (Lindsay Duncan) can't get behind him on this one.
The film is brilliantly directed by Tim Hooper (Elizabeth I) and skillfully written by Peter Morgan (The Queen & The Last King of Scotland). All of the acting is superb. Serkis is very scary as the maniacal Brady. Morton creates a character that arouses sympathy in us despite the awful deeds that she has done. And Duncan is terrific as the put upon Lady Elizabeth. But the film belongs to Broadbent. He is a revelation as Longford. Broadbent became Longford. And, yes, you really admired this man despite some of his quirks (his anti-pornography obsession).
Longford (along with Elizabeth I and Bleak House) shows us just how good television can be. I am sure that it will garner many Emmy nominations. But it also brings into question something that we all must think about - especially those who are following a spiritual or religious path. Can we forgive someone who has done something so evil that it hurts just to think about? Now that is a question for all of us to ponder (religious or not). But while you are pondering make sure that you see this film. And if you don't have HBO (or know someone who does) rent it when it comes out on DVD.
Longford is an intelligent film about the controversial Lord Frank Longford (Jim Broadbent). Longford is a religious Catholic who is into prisoner's rights and very much opposed to pornography. He doesn't just get involved - he gets obsessed. For many years he has championed the cause of prisoners. He believes that everyone should be forgiven. But when he becomes a champion for the notorious child killer Myra Hindley (Samantha Morton) he faces
hostility from his peers.
Longford believes that Hindley was lead astray by her lover and co-killer Ian Brady (Andy Serkis). But even Longford's fiercely loyal wife Lady Elizabeth (Lindsay Duncan) can't get behind him on this one.
The film is brilliantly directed by Tim Hooper (Elizabeth I) and skillfully written by Peter Morgan (The Queen & The Last King of Scotland). All of the acting is superb. Serkis is very scary as the maniacal Brady. Morton creates a character that arouses sympathy in us despite the awful deeds that she has done. And Duncan is terrific as the put upon Lady Elizabeth. But the film belongs to Broadbent. He is a revelation as Longford. Broadbent became Longford. And, yes, you really admired this man despite some of his quirks (his anti-pornography obsession).
Longford (along with Elizabeth I and Bleak House) shows us just how good television can be. I am sure that it will garner many Emmy nominations. But it also brings into question something that we all must think about - especially those who are following a spiritual or religious path. Can we forgive someone who has done something so evil that it hurts just to think about? Now that is a question for all of us to ponder (religious or not). But while you are pondering make sure that you see this film. And if you don't have HBO (or know someone who does) rent it when it comes out on DVD.
posted by Film Fanatic | 7:34 PM
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