London Road

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source: London Road

This musical is based on the National Theatre stage production which is based on actual events that took place in London Road Ipswich. In 2006, London Road had a problem with prostitutes who had moved into their street. Not only were the working girls touting for business but they were having sex in view of the residents. Then five of the women's bodies were found and one of their neighbours was charged and convicted of the offence. This is the story of the residents' thoughts and feelings during the incident and their attempt to recover from the stigmatism which was caused. Musicals aren't my favourite type of movie though I did like the classics. Though the music and songs are more contemporary in this film. Unfortunately, it's that same music and songs that injure the film. I liked the idea of the songs encompassing and including the tenants' actual comments, however, there just isn't enough of them and the lyrics end up being repeated too much. This repetition is very annoying and nearly had me turning it off a couple of times. It would have been nice if Adam Cork, who composed the music, had spread his wings a little more as most of the songs are very similar and add to the monotonous feel. Luckily the filming by director Rufus Norris is interesting and well crafted to suit the music and songs, as well as the narrative when you have the residents speaking. It's also these acting sequences that hold the film together as the are very well skilled at their craft. It's these elements and not the musical ones that make you relate to the characters and understand just what they were going through. If it hadn't been a musical then I believe this would have been a much greater film. If you like contemporary musicals this may be for you. If you're thinking about watching this for members of the cast - Olivia Coleman or Tom Hardy, be aware that they are not in this film for long. In fact, none of the cast is, and I like the movie more because of this. Each actors playing the residents appear to have the same screen time. Though, if you're a studying filmmaker or you're just interested in well-made and shot movies then I'd recommend this for you.

Perhaps people know something about film that I don't. Given these "10" ratings that I have seen, it leaves me even more perplexed as to how ANYONE could be entertained by this big old turd. Billed as starring Tom Hardy (one of my favorite actors), I caught this On Demand. Talk about false advertising... Mr. Hardy may frequent the screen for about TWO minutes. That's all you'll ever see of him. Instead what you get is a quasi "musical". Well, not really a musical as just so much of an ENTIRE movie delivered in sing-song style. That's how 99% of the dialogue is delivered. I thought this was a little odd, but after about five minutes of this s**t, it is like listening to nails across a chalkboard. Supposedly based on actual events, this mess is about actual murders of prostitutes on London Road in England. On Demand should be ashamed for advertising this film the way they do, but I guess anything to make a buck, huh? I absolutely despised this movie because I felt duped from the beginning. It stinks, plain and simple.

When I saw Tom Hardy in the poster I thought he'd be a main character But he appears only 2 times(less than 10 minutes)!!!

I can see how this might appeal to some for it's unique approach.... but I couldn't see it through to the end. Now I love a musical, don't get me wrong, but this was just irritating. I just wanted to know the story!! The way they kept singing the same line, or in this case, local comments, just dragged the whole thing out. I didn't have the patience for it, I'll just google and read the outcome of this true story there instead.

If you watch this film not expecting a musical I can understand the confused reviews. I don't find it disrespectful in the slightest, it's verbatim and represents the views and words of the people at the time. I saw London Road when it was at the National Theatre and it blew me away. This film captures everything I loved about that show. Not to everyone's taste, but undeniably creative, fresh and heaving with talent. I loved every second of it.