BBC Films’ London Road is the film adaptation of the National Theatre stage musical. Directed by Rufus Norris, it tells the true story of the murder of five women in Ipswich in 2006, and how this affected a community. The film was released in the UK on 12 June to critical acclaim. Here is a quick selection of film reviews.
Peter Bradshaw selected London Road as his film of the week in the Guardian and said: “London Road was a mighty success on stage. Now it is a unique triumph on the movie screen.”
“London Road is shot in fluid and inventive fashion. There is something ghoulish about using song and dance to depict such grim recent events but the film is vivid and insightful in a way that yet another True Crimes-style drama-doc simply wouldn't have been,” says Geoffrey Macnab in his review in the Independent.
The Telegraph’s Tim Robey calls it “bold and diverting”, while Time Out’s 5-star review says, “Three things make London Road extraordinary. First are Cork’s verbatim songs. .. Second is the outstanding ensemble… But the real brilliance of Blythe and Cork’s musical is its troubling portrayal of community as an entity.”
Charlotte O’Sullivan from the Evening Standard says “London Road is flawlessly acted by Olivia Colman and Tom Hardy, among others.”
“But does it work?” asks the Radio Times’ Damon Wise, he concludes: “the answer is, overwhelmingly, yes.”
You can see for yourself at cinemas nationwide as London Road is currently on general release.
Hannah Khalil is Digital Content Producer, About the BBC website and blog
- Find out more about London Road on the BBC Films website
