Movies

You have just days left to watch “compelling” British legal drama before it leaves UK streamer

BBG News

I’m about to lose access to Emma Thompson’s gripping British legal drama, “The Children Act,” on my UK streaming platform soon. It’s a real bummer!

According to Ian McEwan’s 2014 novel, the movie features Thompson as a justice in a high court who handles a case involving doctors seeking to administer a blood transfusion to a 17-year-old Jehovah’s Witness, played by Fionn Whitehead.

In the storyline, Judge Fiona May finds herself under intense pressure as she hastens to decide the future of a critically ill teenager in need of an urgent blood transfusion. This situation pushes her personal life and her already strained marriage to its limits.

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In the UK, fans of Thompson only have a few more days (until Thursday) to watch the legal drama on BBC iPlayer for free, as it will no longer be available after that date.

2017 marked the year this movie was debuted. Currently, it boasts an impressive rating of 74% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 112 professional critiques, largely due to the acclaimed acting delivery by its leading star, Thompson.

In the description, the vulture found the drama to be extremely engaging. Moreover, they pointed out that no one delivers a more thoughtful stare than Thompson; the intrigue comes from the imperfections and vulnerabilities, even in those who are highly skilled and have good intentions.

According to The Washington Post, The Children Act aligns perfectly with the source material: it’s sophisticated, subtle, elegantly produced, and brilliantly performed by an outstanding ensemble of actors.

In simpler terms, according to Rolling Stone, the movie version doesn’t quite capture the deep emotional depths found in Ian McEwan’s book. However, Emma Thompson’s performance as a family court judge who opens herself up to the world, ultimately losing her own perspective, is exceptional and top-notch acting.

In a more conversational style, “Emma Thompson excels in both theater and film, providing a unique quality that not only rescues the movie but also ensures viewers stay engaged.

Empire Magazine added another note, emphasizing once more the delicacy and mastery of Emma Thompson’s extraordinary acting ability.

On the contrary, not everyone found this perspective compelling. Specifically, The Boston Globe stated that “The Children Act” was not particularly engaging, even with the impressive array of skilled individuals involved and their overall commendable performances.

The latest print edition from Digital Spy, titled “Oasis – Live in ’25”, is available now! You can purchase it at your local newsstands or online for only £8.99.

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2025-07-08 13:49

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