The Children Act * * * *

Flippant Phil audaciously judges The Judge.

        I very much like the writing of Ian McEwan, so if one of his novels becomes a film I often find myself in a position where I have already read the book, so it is difficult for me to imagine how the film might look to those who have not read it.
          Emma Thompson has deservedly received praise for  her role in The Children Act.  In the novel Justice Fiona Maye is a beautifully created character of immense intelligence, compassion and perspicacity,  She is gracious and impressive.  She is also somewhat intimidating.  If you were to meet her you'd probably like her but you'd probably also feel a bit out of your league so to speak.  She is such a formidable character it would allow anyone slipping into the the role to shine, providing they do it properly, which Ms Thompson certainly does.     
        She lives in Gray's Inn London with her husband (Stanley Tucci) who is an academic.  Burdened (or obsessed?) with her work their childless marriage is lacking physical intimacy and is at a crisis, troubling her and invading her thoughts as she tries to work.
         As a specialist in Family Law she is a judge that get lumbered with the most arduous of moral cases.  We are given a sample at the beginning of the film when she has to rule on allowing the separation of co-joined twins. An act which will inevitably result in the death of one of the babes.
           But the main story is when she is given a case which requires immediate ruling. A teen age boy who has been raised a Jehovah's Witness is refusing the blood transfusion that could save his life.  As he is not quite eighteen the court has the power to intercede by evoking The Children Act and instruct the hospital to proceed with the transfusion for his own welfare.
          Before ruling, Justice Maye takes the unusual step of visiting the hospital to personally meet the young man and thus a relationship begins as he develops a naïve and inappropriate obsession with "My Lady".  Obviously this is something she cannot respond to - yet feelings are stirred inside her which she cannot deny.
         Overall I think the novel has translated well to the screen, (though her rehearsals for the Legal Fraternities Christmas Pageant might be distracting).  There is nothing more fascinating than a moral conundrum and this intelligent film grapples with a number of them superbly, leading to a credible and moving outcome.