I have a few issues with this film, so take a seat. Would a defense lawyer really be able to get bail for a suspected baby murderer, and why would he arrange it so she would stay with him? I mean... this gal has already been suspected of starting two fires (One of which killed the infant) at the couple's home she's working as an au pair for, in a short space of time... and even the attorney starts to question his decision. But do we ever hear a satisfactory reason why he made such an offer? Nope.
Even worse, when a blaze is started in the bedroom she's staying in at his home which destroys his shutters, AND it transpires later she lied in open court about her mother dying of a heart attack when the real cause was... guess what... a HOUSEFIRE... What does he do? Why, continue to represent her of course, and keep her on as a guest. Even when she starts trying on his dead wife's clothes without permission.
Either this chap has a death wish, or he really is The Most Stupid Man In The World. Of course, we find out the fire epidemic may be caused by an unconscious supernatural trauma rather than deliberate arson, but how is HE supposed to know that? And it goes against everything he believes, being a member of a secular court process. So, why does he persevere? No idea.
It's got an interesting cast too... Charlotte Rampling as a nun who also doubles as a psychiatrist. Sienna Guillory as the accused killer. And Mark Strong as the dumb-as-a-post lawyer, who's got a few skeletons in his own closet (Don't we all?). Oddly enough, despite being set in Italy, we barely hear any Italian accents, and certainly hear none of their language. Well, apart from the odd waiter. Stereotyping, much? Anyway, regardless of my complaints, it's not a terrible film and is more average than offensive.
I'm not having any of this 'Based On A True Story' malarkey though. I mean... we all remember what happened with Derek Acorah now... 5/10
Even worse, when a blaze is started in the bedroom she's staying in at his home which destroys his shutters, AND it transpires later she lied in open court about her mother dying of a heart attack when the real cause was... guess what... a HOUSEFIRE... What does he do? Why, continue to represent her of course, and keep her on as a guest. Even when she starts trying on his dead wife's clothes without permission.
Either this chap has a death wish, or he really is The Most Stupid Man In The World. Of course, we find out the fire epidemic may be caused by an unconscious supernatural trauma rather than deliberate arson, but how is HE supposed to know that? And it goes against everything he believes, being a member of a secular court process. So, why does he persevere? No idea.
It's got an interesting cast too... Charlotte Rampling as a nun who also doubles as a psychiatrist. Sienna Guillory as the accused killer. And Mark Strong as the dumb-as-a-post lawyer, who's got a few skeletons in his own closet (Don't we all?). Oddly enough, despite being set in Italy, we barely hear any Italian accents, and certainly hear none of their language. Well, apart from the odd waiter. Stereotyping, much? Anyway, regardless of my complaints, it's not a terrible film and is more average than offensive.
I'm not having any of this 'Based On A True Story' malarkey though. I mean... we all remember what happened with Derek Acorah now... 5/10