Longford (2007)

In "Longford," Frank Longford(Jim Broadbent), the leader of the House of Lords, has taken up the cause of visiting prisoners in jail, while seeking their rehabilitation and release. In 1967, Myra Hindley(Samantha Morton), who along with her lover, Ian Brady(Andy Serkis), was convicted of the murder of several children, contacts him and asks him to visit her. This time, Frank's usually supportive wife(Lindsay Duncan) balks at his taking up her case but this does not stop him. When Frank goes to the prison to meet Myra, he finds a much different woman then he was expecting. And her claim to return to the Catholic Church strikes a nerve with the devout politician and he has hope that she can be paroled. But Brady has a much different opinion of Myra... Inspired by real events, "Longford" is an incisive movie that contains great performances from Broadbent and Morton. Considering the subject matter, it thankfully does not take after "Silence of the Lambs." While pointing out that Longford will always be remembered for this one case, it is ironic that it is also the only part of his life that is truly covered in the movie.(Well, outside of a silly anti-pornography crusade.) The movie could have been longer and given more depth to other facets of Longford's life. Frank cites his reason for converting to Catholicism is the world not making sense without an afterlife but most of his energy is based on concerns in the material world. He cares more about the prisoners' welfare and release than their salvation. The changes in his own life cause him to believe that others can change, even criminals.(How refreshing it is to see a politician with courage.) I do think it is important to care about the welfare of prisoners and that they be treated humanely because it is so very easy to demonize criminals in this society(especially in heinous cases).