​FILMS

london road

2015 review number 135:

London Road: (Musical/Drama): 55 out of 100: This is the film adaptation of the stage musical by Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork, about the “Suffolk Strangler” murders in Ipswich, England in 2006. It starts off promisingly with the interviews and news reports being conducted in song but then becomes monotonous with a sameness hanging over the musical numbers. The music doesn't stand out and that's a crime when it comes to musicals. It's surprising that it was a successful stage musical considering the music where everything sounds the same.

 

London Road is an infamous street in England where prostitutes were killed by a serial killer. Residents are interviewed by the media to determine how they feel about the murders. Interspersed with these interviews are reports from news broadcasters and journalists. There's also a could of suspicion hanging over most males in this area and we are witness to their daily lives where even walking down the street initiates suspicion.

 

Many of the interview subjects are not associated by name. It's difficult to empathise with how people feel when they don't have a name. There's not much characterisation to speak of. We get to know the characters only by how they respond to the media. The gimmick in this production is that the interviews of the real-life participants have been translated to song. Also, many of the media reports have a musical approach. When the musical numbers seem the same, it drags the entire movie to the point where it seems one hour longer than it actually is.

 

There are some recognisable faces. Olivia Colman is the main star and she commits herself well to her role as an interview subject. At least she has been given a name (Julie). Don't be fooled into thinking that Tom Hardy has a major role. He has only one extended scene and he is credited as Taxi Driver Mark even though his name wasn't mentioned during the movie. He sings his lines so it would be out of curiosity to see his performance.

 

What is captured well is the paranoia that existed on the streets at that time. A lot of acting is done through the eyes when the songs are not being sung. The eyes approach to the acting leads to a sense of mystery where the viewer doesn't know who is innocent or guilty. There's also a fair bit of hustle and bustle in the 'choreography' which demonstrates a lot of the unease that the residents were experiencing.

 

This is not the conventional type of musical that this particular reviewer enjoys. It certainly is different but not an approach that would have musical lovers rejoicing. Perhaps more variety with the musical numbers would have helped. For viewers who aren't fond of musicals, this might turn you off for good.

 

Starring Olivia Colman, Paul Thornley and Tom Hardy

(91 minutes)

Parental advice: Coarse language, sex scene, sexual references and adult themes

Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits we hear recordings of interviews of the real-life participants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyBMYeG7pMM (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Wednesday 16th September, 2015)

 

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