"Longford"
Prior to winning an Oscar for his work on The King's Speech very few people knew who director Tom Hooper was. He was probably better known throughout Britain for his work on numerous television shows. It was only more recently that he stepped in to making films. Hooper's first feature was an HBO original film called Longford. After watching this film you'll have a better understanding of Mr. Hooper's directing style and why he went on to win at the Academy Awards.
Longford deals with the incredibly unpleasant subject matter of Myra Hindley (Samantha Morton.) For those who are unfamiliar with this notorious name echoed throughout Great Britain during the 1960's, let's recap. Myra and her lover Ian Brady (Andy Serkis) were both given life sentences for the horrendous atrocities they committed. Their crime? Murder. More specifically, the murder at least three children. Myra is vilified more so than Brady by the public because (as the film points out) she is a woman and women aren't generally seen as murderous psychopaths. When she reaches out to Lord Longford (Jim Broadbent), who is known for his constant pledges to get reformed criminals released from prison, he is taken aback at how calm her demeanor and appearance is. Could she have really killed all those kids? Is this the face of a monster? Those are the questions he keeps asking himself throughout the picture. Longford is bound and determined to see Hindley eventually released from prison despite what his wife Elizabeth (Lindsay Duncan) and the rest of the general public thinks. "If people think that makes me weak... or mad... so be it. That is the path I am committed to. To love the sinner, but hate the sins. To assume the best in people, and not the worst. To believe that anyone, no matter how evil, can be redeemed... eventually." These lines of dialogue summarize his character’s approach to much of his life’s work quite well.
This is an incredibly strong, character driven piece with a screenplay that has a theatrical quality about it. These two characteristics were widespread in The King's Speech as well. Hooper goes for minimal staging and camera movement giving his actors ample room to breathe. He also loves close ups. By utilizing the close ups on each actor Hooper is able to achieve a form of intimacy with the audience. We are put right in the middle of those conversations no matter how horrific they may get. There's no escape.
Hooper gets primo performances from his cast. The two scenes with Broadbent and Serkis together are the best. Serkis plays such a great sociopath with everlasting creepiness that fills the room. He is mesmerizing to watch. You can't keep your eyes off him when he's on screen. Broadbent and Morton are strong too. We don't exactly sympathize with Myra but there's a certain enticing quality about her that makes us want to listen to what she has to say. Broadbent plays the conflicted Longford adeptly. He has his religious convictions about him that guild him through his decision making skills which may be a turn off for some. Unlike Dead Man Walking there's no other side of the coin here. Longford never once goes to visit families of the victims.
It's plain to see Hooper's directing style is one to keep watching for years to come. He is definitely an actor's director. He relies on them to tell the story and lets his camera sit back as an observer. These are people's lives we're watching unfold. Despite its one-sidedness Longford is an intelligent and disturbing film that gives us a window into the minds of people who are quite deranged and rather manipulative. Hooper has a good understanding of the material and its characters. He doesn't play with our emotions but instead gives us something to think about without being overly trite.
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