The Children Act

We all make choices. Hers make history.


The Children Act
A leading High Court judge, renowned for her fierce intelligence and sensitivity, is called on to try an urgent case. For religious reasons, a seventeen-year-old boy is refusing the medical treatment that could save his life. Time is running out. She visits the boy in hospital, which produces an encounter which stirs long-buried feelings in her and powerful new emotions in the boy. As the judge, she must ultimately decide whether he lives or dies and her judgement will have momentous consequences for them both.

105 minutes.
No persons under 13 (Language, Prejudice).
Drama, On the art circuit

Not currently showing on the local cinema circuit.

I’ve always wanted a son ...
I’ve always wanted a son ...

Credits

Cast
Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Fionn Whitehead, Ben Chaplin, Rosie Cavaliero, Jason Watkins, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Anthony Calf
Director
Richard Eyre
ScreenplayIan McEwan, from his novel
MusicStephen Warbeck
CinematographyAndrew Dunn
EditingDan Farrell
Made in2017
Produced byToledo Productions, BBC Films, FilmNation Entertainment

IMDB page | CommonSenseMedia Report
Scroll down for embedded trailer

Film and Publications Board (FPB) Report (SA)

GenreDrama
LanguageFairly frequent, mild impact language including swearing, sexual references and language which may be seen as blasphemous.
NudityNone
SexNone
ViolenceNone
PrejudiceFairly frequent, low to mild impact prejudice based on religion and gender.
BlasphemyInfrequent, low impact blasphemy contained in criticism against Jehova's Witnesses' refusal to accept blood transfusions.
Drug abuseNone
Comments
These details are supplied by the FPB. If you have a problem with any of the above, please take it up directly with the FPB. Read the Classification Guidelines.

USA MPAA rating

R: RestrictedRated R for a sexual reference
Runtime105
USA version is usually but not always the same as South African release. Versions released on streaming or DVD, Blu-ray or Video may also differ.


CommonSenseMedia Report (USA)

Suggested age limit
13 +
Positive messages
1
Positive role models
3
Violence
0
Sex
1
Language
3
Consumerism
0
Drinking, drugs, smoking
1

Ratings

Scale (Max)20

What the Critics say

24.com
Herman Eloff quote iconThose with a keen interest in real human stories and a love for the intricacies of what it means to be alive in this world today will truly appreciate this well-made film.
15
Metacritic.com
24 critics
12
Rottentomatoes critics
67 critics
13
Rottentomatoes tomatometer
Tomatometer quote iconThe Children Act showcases yet another powerful performance from Emma Thompson, who elevates this undeniably flawed picture into an affecting adult drama.
14
CommonSenseMedia
Michael Ordona quote iconAdult themes, great lead performance in legal/moral drama.
10

What the People say

Rottentomatoes users
335 users
14
IMDB
1842 Netizens
13
The Movie DB
Community
14

Average .. 66%

13

Trailer






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