Georgan G
Wonderfully done TV movie re an evil murderer and a naive social reformer.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
10/25/24
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Audience Member
A dive into the difficult matters of repentance and forgiveness, illustrated with politician, social reformer and humanist Frank Pakenham and his relation to life time prisoner and child murderer Myra Hindley. Though the dive could have been deeper, the film manages to create a good basic illustration of the main issues, and the acting performances are credible and moving, with a brilliant Samantha Morton as Myra Hindley, and an outstanding Jim Broadbent as the eccentric and sophisticated Earl of Longford.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/21/23
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Audience Member
LONGFORD (2007)
While forgiving is most beneficial to the one doing so, certain despicable 'sins' committed should neither be forgotten or dismissed, even when poorly adjudicated with slap-on-the-wrist incarcerations. As with this REAL-LIFE STORY, the children's surviving families still suffer the undeniable ripples that such heinous, unspeakable crimes trigger. For years, surviving siblings were nervously over-protected, marriages dissolved under strain, depression consumed parents, further answers were sought, tragedy relived thru legal proceedings, numerous books and movies produced. Perhaps over time, but nonetheless all-consuming. And for what...a dark desire for a supposed spiritual experience?
IN THE FILM, Myra Hindley opined that the evil she and Ian Brady committed was akin to being spiritual, for her at least, based upon her understanding of her religious campaigner, Lord Longford, who had offered quick forgiveness and benefit of the doubt. He had trouble believing that a seemingly pleasant, attractive woman could be an actual serial killer; it was less disturbing and convenient to view her as a man's victim, rather than a cold instigator and contributor. However, Myra's admission to additional murders and her dark spiritual experience further revealed her nature - like an unsinkable ship loaded with the goods that a covert, malignant sociopath could use to be successful in getting what they want, when they want it. Unfortunately, this included Longford's pity and assistance. For Myra and Ian, children were made to suffer the couple's sadistic existentialism, and it could have continued unabated. This revelation was something that Longford was forced to mitigate; his faith assuaged any regret he carried.
While it was a good film, it has similar LIMITATIONS that true-story 'Lifetime' (television) movies face. It would translate better into a series, in order to better convey the critical details and relationships, while better portraying the characters' motivations and advancing story arcs.
-January 2019
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
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Audience Member
What are the limits of forgiveness? That's the question posed here in a fascinating biopic of the late Lord Longford and his efforts to aid convicted Moors Murderer Myra Hendly. Longford seems to believe that anyone who has truly repented their crimes is worthy of forgiveness, which is hard for most people to accept when confronted with pointless thrill killings of this depravity. But Longford, true to his beliefs, wades into the middle of it and seeks to aid Myra's parole. Puts his reputation on the line for her in fact. There's something very admirable about his willingness to stand up for his beliefs despite mass public pressure, yet his willingness to see the best in everyone is naive at best and likely dangerous. Underlying the whole story is the question of whether Myra's genuinely repentant at all or is simply manipulating him skillfully. The performances are all very good, from Jim Broadbent's very Jim Broadbenty Longford to Andy Serkis' chillingly unrepentant and proud Ian Brady. Samantha Morton's Myra is the only character that seemed less than perfect, but that's largely because she's supposed to come off as bland and colourless. I think.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/22/23
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Audience Member
Now this was interesting. It is a made-for-TV British movie (directed by Tom Hooper) about real events. Lord Longford was a politician and religious dude who got involved in prison visits and prisoner advocacy. This movie focuses on his relationship with a particular, notorious child serial killer. For myself and probably most Canadians, it is impossible not to draw parallels to Karla Homolka. Very absorbing presentation about the things the road to hell is paved with. Standout performances by Jim Broadbent, Samantha Morton and Andy Serkis. 7 out of 10.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/25/23
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Audience Member
Tender and beautiful. Its a film about unlikely friendship, but even more so it's about forgiveness. Its about how forgiveness is immediate and trust is earned, but once trust is earned it can't be taken away because of what was forgiven in the first place.
It's a great little movie that is expertly paced and directed by Tom Hooper. It's also performed with more grace and naturalism than I've seen in a while from the likes of Andy Serkis, Samantha Morton, and, as always, the great Jim Broadbent.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/12/23
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