The Children Act

R

Released Sep 14, 2018

1 hr. 45 min.

Drama

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74%

112 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Judge Fiona May must race against the clock to determine the fate of a teenage boy in need of a lifesaving blood transfusion, stretching her life and her fractured marriage to the breaking point.

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Critics Consensus

The Children Act showcases yet another powerful performance from Emma Thompson, who elevates this undeniably flawed picture into an affecting adult drama.

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The Great John A

While the first half is riddled with clichés and an uneven pace the minute Fionn Whitehead shows up I realised I hit a jackpot from a24. His acting combined with the heavyweight 2 time oscar winner Emma Thompson is unmatched compared to other a24 performances recently. While Stanley Tucci was a bit miscast it still doesn't make the film the end of the world for me. Overall amazing acting from Emma and Fionn combined with a beautiful second half elevates the film to 4 stars. Close to perfection and would recommend this to a a24 film buff. Grade: A

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/27/23

Full Review

Michael Antony A

Mikey's Movie Review: The Children Act (2017) Emma Thompson shines once again in a melodrama that just about avoids cliché, with an interesting dilemma at its heart. A High Court judge must decide if she should order a life-saving blood transfusion for a teen with cancer, despite his Jehovah's Witness family's refusal to accept medical treatment. All the while trying to balance her feelings of affection towards the boy (a strong turn from Fionn Whitehead) with the collapse of her troubled marriage to Stanley Tucci. Thought provoking and intelligent. It sags slightly in the middle, but have those tissues at the ready for the 3rd Act... Mikey's Movie Rating: 4/5* 😎👌

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/24/23

Full Review

isla s

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 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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Rosana B

Tão lindo... Completamente apaixonada, exemplar, uma exímia magistrada, mesmo com a dor de um amor perdido, e como isso dói, um coração partido, trabalha com maestria, conseguindo separar a vida pessoal, da profissional, magistralmente perfeita... Esse filme é muito intenso, chorei, emocionei, deixou meu coração quentinho, aquela relação dúbia, a juíza e a vítima/réu, difícil saber… Muito bom, de uma sensibilidade, que ficamos a questionar as decisões da meritíssima, acerca de seu casamento, das atitudes para com o menino, mas jamais sobre suas atuações no tribunal… Maravilhoso...

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/02/22

Full Review

Audience Member

I thought this one had potential between the great cast & characters plus story material, but it just seemed to drag on without delivering much.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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paul d

Emma Thompson's performance as a High Court judge in The Children Act is a five-star turn, she is magnetic, nuanced, and powerful. The film is a complex adult drama about important themes, and both Stanley Tucci and Fionn Whitehead are strong partners for Ms. Thompson. The film as a whole is not as good as she is, because it loses its way a bit in the second half, with moments of melodrama and sentimentality. But it is well worth watching for its challenging, thoughtful treatment of important questions and especially to see how a magnificent Emma Thompson grapples with them.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Richard Eyre

Director

Emma Thompson

Fiona Maye

Fionn Whitehead

Adam Henry

Stanley Tucci

Jack

Ben Chaplin

Kevin Henry

Anthony Calf

Mark Berner

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Linda Marric

HeyUGuys

Emma Thompson once again proves she's our finest actress working today. The power of the film is diluted slightly by an insistence of adherence to the source but the fine performances shine through.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 5, 2019

Full Review

David Stratton

The Australian

This is a film that poses important moral and legal questions, but it's also a personal story in which a diligent woman, who regularly faces intense criticism, has to confront several deeply troubling personal problems.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 26, 2018

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Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

The Children Act is a mature and thoughtful film that is, above all, a wonderful showcase for a brilliant Emma Thompson.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 25, 2018

Full Review

Alix Turner

Ready Steady Cut

A simple story about a senior judge's decision against the backdrop of her grinding-to-a-halt marriage made more complex because of the consequences. A film which will make you think about your world, instead of escape from it.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 2, 2021

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Zehra Phelan

Flavourmag

The first half sets a fundamental picture of elegance and nuanced complexity. However, it's second act wanes in this momentum, it almost feels like there is a big chunk of an essential storyline missing to complete a fulfilling centrepiece.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 22, 2020

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

This gripping adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel of the same name is well worth checking out, as Emma Thompson makes light work of a heavy role in very impressive fashion.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 17, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Judge Fiona May must race against the clock to determine the fate of a teenage boy in need of a lifesaving blood transfusion, stretching her life and her fractured marriage to the breaking point.

Director: Richard Eyre
Executive Producer: Glen Basner, Ben Browning, Joe Oppenheimer, Beth Pattinson
Screenwriter: Ian McEwan
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Toledo Productions
Rating: R (A Sexual Reference)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 14, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $432.5K
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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