55 Steps

source: 55 Steps

This is the best movie I've seen in years! The acting is superb, definite Oscar material for both female leads. The story is one that any person concerned with human rights should find engrossing and inspiring. The screenplay is excellent in its moving dialogue and clarity regarding the mental health patients' rights issue central to the story. For all film buffs, this is not to be missed.

As many others, I didn't saw this movie because I was familiar with the story of Eleanor. I saw it because of those two names in the cast: Helena and Hillary. I know it's not the legal drama most of you were expecting, and it doesn't show that much about living inside of a psychiatric hospital. But I think it shows what's more important. First, the cause they were defending is noble and very well explained to the public, causing anger and sympathy at the same time, which is the point. Second, it teaches you that, even on that time, it was very much possible for a normal person not just to don't judge but to love, to care and to admire another who suffers from mental illness. And that is beautifully showed on this movie. At last, I have to say that, in my opinion, there are few actresses in this world who could do a good job as Eleanor, and Helena was just perfect to me.

I had the privilege of seeing the remarkable movie "55 Steps" followed by a Q&A with Colette Hughes, co-counsel in the California case "Riese v. St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center", which gave competent mentally ill patients the right to give informed consent to their medical treatments with limited exceptions. The story focuses on the slow development of a deeply touching friendship between Eleanor Riese, the lead plaintiff, and Hughes, and contains important lessons on how to be a competent human. The performances are outstanding, and the story is important and should be better known. Ms. Hughes has been deeply involved with the making of the movie and spoke glowingly of how the story and people are portrayed, as well as highlighting current civil rights challenges in the field of patient consent. Sadly, the movie has not received much theatrical release - ask your indy cinema theater to book it if you want to see it on the big screen as it should be seen, but it is. becoming available for streaming as well. Not an easy movie, but a beautiful one. The lead actors worked without pay, and the funding seems to have come primarily from government sources in Germany and Belgium. However, this is an American civil rights story, through and through, and Eleanor Riese and Colette Hughes along with Mortimer Cohen, the other co-counsel are all true American heroes.

This is a wonderful story. Based on a real relationship, it is about so much more than a legal ruling. It is a story about the profound difference a person can make in another's life. It is about valuing individuals not according to what they can't do but for what they can do and who they are. Helena Bonham Carter is a brilliant actress and her full art is on display here in all its understated brilliance (American accent, and all). Hilary Swank is perfect for her role. I can only imagine the topsy-turvy switch up that must have happened when they called "cut", two such highly awarded actors. I give this film an 8 (great) out of 10. {Life Inspired Drama}

This is a beautiful story about a friendship between a lawyer and her mentally ill client. This is also a story about courage and perseverance. The movie provides a lense into the mental health system and into the world of those who are brave enough to stand up to the injustices endured by those who often have no voice. The acting is incredible and authentically represents Ms. Riese and her lawyers. Thank you to the producers who have brought life to this important issue.

I loved this movie! It deserves so much more attention. Helena Bonham Carter deserves an Oscar for her role. It is hands down the best thing she has ever done. The script is brilliant and shows a very important human rights case in an intimate drama between two fantastic women. Go watch 55 Steps right away!

Inevitably, some will avoid a film about mental illness and patients' rights for fear of it being "worthy" or "depressing". And, sure, this is undoubtedly the kind of story that used to be packaged for "disease of the week" telemovies. What elevates "55 Steps" above that lowly status is an extraordinary performance by Helena Bonham Carter as Eleanor Riese. It's not only a detailed, sensitive and touching portrayal of a woman with mental illness, but a smart, masterful exercise in calibrating a performance that balances both drama and comedy so that a difficult and potentially alienating subject becomes entertaining and ultimately uplifting. It takes an actor with incredible skill and range to pull off such a feat, and Bonham Carter is one of only a handful who could do it. That in the past few years she's also convincingly played roles as disparate as Elizabeth Taylor and Madame Thenardier demonstrates what a remarkable actor HBC has become. But this may be her best performance yet. Well worth seeing.

Very timely and touching movie which is based on a true story. Timely release due to current events in the media. Enjoyed Helena and Hilary's portrayals of Eleanor and Colette. Hope movie is shown to a wider audience in the future.

Who would've thought that there was a time where mental patients didn't have a say in their medical care? Fortunately, for those original 150,000 patients in California, and the many that came after them, Eleanor and Colette did not rest until they found justice! The connection between Eleanor and Colette was beautifully captured by Helena and Hillary. This movie is a must-watch!