The Children Act

2017
12A
1h 45m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

16K

YOUR RATING

Emma Thompson in The Children Act (2017)

As her marriage to Jack (Stanley Tucci) flounders, eminent High Court judge Fiona Maye (Emma Thompson) has a life-changing decision to make at work - should she force a teenage boy, Adam (Fionn Whitehead), to have the blood transfusion that will save his life? Her unorthodox visit to his hospital bedside has a profound impact on them both, stirring strong new emotions in the boy and long-buried feelings in her.

Play trailer2:27

3 Videos

33 Photos

Legal Drama Drama

As her marriage crumbles, a judge must decide a case involving a teenage boy who is refusing a blood transfusion on religious principle.As her marriage crumbles, a judge must decide a case involving a teenage boy who is refusing a blood transfusion on religious principle.As her marriage crumbles, a judge must decide a case involving a teenage boy who is refusing a blood transfusion on religious principle.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

16K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 5 nominations

Videos3

Trailer 2:27

Official Trailer

Clip 1:47

The Children Act: Do You Remember How We Were?

Clip 1:47

The Children Act: Do You Remember How We Were?

Video 1:17

Stanley Tucci and Emma Thompson Happy to Reunite for 'The Children Act'

Photos33

+ 27

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The production was allowed to film at the entrance and in the foyer of the actual Royal Court of Justice in London. This is the only movie in recent times that got permission to do so.

Goofs
Throughout the film, her clerk and others address Fiona as 'my lady'; in reality they would simply call her 'judge'. 'My Lady' is a term of address used only in court.

Quotes
Fiona Maye: Life is more precious than dignity.

Connections
Featured in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Emma Thompson/Elle Fanning/LykkeLi/Amine (2018)

Soundtracks
My Funny Valentine
Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
Taken from their musical comedy "Babes in Arms" (1937)
Performed By Emma Thompson on the piano; vocals by Anthony Calf

User reviews151

Review

Featured review

8/10

Real life vs. the law

This is a very moving film and despite its official subject matter it really is about how the law and real life are not always compatible. The lady judge in this film is very accomplished in her profession advocating in court for children but she herself has avoid having her own children and her relationship with her husband is limited to "goodnight dear" expressions when convenient. But her encounter with a sick teenage boy whom she has to deal with officially and then unofficially brings her to a realization of who she has been and who she has not been. Not without its depressing moments the film is still very worthwhile.