#TIFF15: “LONDON ROAD”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

London Road tells the horrific story of murder that shook the town of Ipswich in 2006. Theatrically adapted from the National Theatre musical production, the Film tells the story of how the town of Ipswich deals with the murder of five prostitutes from the side of the prostitutes themselves and the community that was greatly affected. The Film on the surface makes light of this situation which perhaps is its intention to satirize how the community coped, however there are small glimmers of hope.

The saving grace of the Film comes from the films leads, Julie (Olivia Colman), whose singing voice is remarkable. The songs are delivered in such a way at times you forget they actually are singing. However, we would be terribly amiss if we didn’t point out how misleading it is that Tom Hardy (the cab driver, Mark) gets one of the top billings despite being in the Movie for a minute portion only. What makes London Road appeasing for the audience is the final few minutes of some intense drama that leaves the audience wondering the prostitutes’ fate.

Compelling is how the Filmmakers decided to show actual footage of those in Ipswich affected directly by the murders of 2006 that shook their entire neighbourhood.

LONDON ROAD premieres at TIFF ’15 Thursday, September 10th at 9:30 pm at the Elgin VISA Screening Room, with a second screening on Friday, September 11th at 12:30 pm at the Bloor Hot Docs Theatre and a third screening on Sunday, September 20th at 6 pm at the Bloor Hot Docs Theatre.