Longford (TV)

[flipp525]

LONGFORD (2006) (TV)

cast: Jim Broadbent, Samantha Morton, Lindsay Duncan, Andy Serkis; dir. Tom Hooper

Lord Longford's tireless 20+ year campaign to free the Moors Murderess Myra Hindley is the subject of HBO's latest film, "Longford", starring Jim Broadbent as the title character and Samantha Morton as the infamous "most hated woman of Britain". Between the years 1960 and 1963, Myra Hindley helped lure five British children and young adults (boys and girls) to their death. They were raped, tortured, strangled and murdered by her lover Ian Brady only to be buried in the surrounding moors in the one of the most horrific and ghastly crimes in British history. Hindley's role in these murders was always questionable, but public outcry led to her incarceration for years. Peter Morgan's (The Queen) masterful script along with the pallid tones of 1960's, 70's 80's London recreated by art director Nick Wilkinson, add to the overall success of this film.

Jim Broadbent successfully captures Lord Longford's odd speech impediment and appearance (wild hair, mottled skin, nose and chin prosthetics) and infuses the character with a muted sense of justice. He's not overly zealous or self-righteous about his support of Hindley; it seems to come to him most naturally, as if she deserves the same treatment as anyone else, without question. His unwavering support of her makes him the object of ridicule and scorn, and Broadbent does a fabulous job of steering the character clear of martrydom. He's an ordinary man caught up in the drama of an extraordinary situation. When he learns the truth of his cause celebre's crimes, the realization is painful and real, one of Broadbent's finest moments.

Samantha Morton matches him take for take as the two-faced, psychotic Myra Hindley. At once kind and sympathetic, while almost cold and calculated, Morton takes on the transformation like a pro and keeps you guessing about Myra even if you already know the full story of her case. Andy Serkis also shines as the diabolical monster Ian Brady, Hindley's accomplice and lover. You might've blinked and missed it, but Broadbent and Morton both won Golden Globes this month for their performances.

Lady Longford (played wonderfully by Lindsay Duncan) practically steals the show as Broadbent's confidante, marital adversary and then dauntless supporter. Initially condemnatory of her husband's obsession with the Hindley case, she eventually decides to investigate the anatomy of her husband's obsession and becomes sort of hooked on it as well.

Very well done and worth catching on HBO.

**** out of 5



Edited By flipp525 on 1201217877