Miranda Richardson made her film debut as Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in Britain in 1955.
Ellis was a platinum blonde nightclub hostess and part time prostitute in a drab class ridden Britain still going through post war austerity.
Ellis ended up having a mutually destructive relationship with playboy racing driver and drunk David Blakely (Rupert Everett.)
Both Ellis and Blakely could not keep away from each other despite the physical and mental cruelty they displayed.
Desmond Cussen (Ian Holm) was an older wealthier man who was also obsessed with Ellis and she would have probably been better off with him. He showered her with gifts, paid for her son's boarding school fees and he even housed her when she lost her job and flat. Cussen could not giver ther the excitement that Blakely offered.
Blakey may had been from a well to do family but he was a loser. Both in the racing world and in his personal life. Money problems, a raging libido meant that he constantly let Ellis down and she became increasingly jealous.
Director Mike Newell showed a lot of skill in making this low budget film made for Channel 4 Film but giving it bigger budget aplomb.
Newell decides to concentrate on the relationship between Ellis, Blakey and Cussen. Not on the legal aftermath.
All three actors, Richardson, Everett and Holm are in top form. The first two were rising stars and had a lot to prove.
Miranda Richardson won several awards for her portrayal of Ruth Ellis. Like other young actresses she could had easily disappeared mainly due to a lack of a British film industry. However she played a trump card. Her next role was as Queen Elizabeth in Blackadder II. One of the funniest comedies of all time.
Ellis was a platinum blonde nightclub hostess and part time prostitute in a drab class ridden Britain still going through post war austerity.
Ellis ended up having a mutually destructive relationship with playboy racing driver and drunk David Blakely (Rupert Everett.)
Both Ellis and Blakely could not keep away from each other despite the physical and mental cruelty they displayed.
Desmond Cussen (Ian Holm) was an older wealthier man who was also obsessed with Ellis and she would have probably been better off with him. He showered her with gifts, paid for her son's boarding school fees and he even housed her when she lost her job and flat. Cussen could not giver ther the excitement that Blakely offered.
Blakey may had been from a well to do family but he was a loser. Both in the racing world and in his personal life. Money problems, a raging libido meant that he constantly let Ellis down and she became increasingly jealous.
Director Mike Newell showed a lot of skill in making this low budget film made for Channel 4 Film but giving it bigger budget aplomb.
Newell decides to concentrate on the relationship between Ellis, Blakey and Cussen. Not on the legal aftermath.
All three actors, Richardson, Everett and Holm are in top form. The first two were rising stars and had a lot to prove.
Miranda Richardson won several awards for her portrayal of Ruth Ellis. Like other young actresses she could had easily disappeared mainly due to a lack of a British film industry. However she played a trump card. Her next role was as Queen Elizabeth in Blackadder II. One of the funniest comedies of all time.