Film Reviews by ST

I really enjoyed this film, despite the slightly predictable story line. As mentioned elsewhere, the acting was good (although I felt Jonathan Pryce was at least the equal of Glenn Close and I did not particularly like the mannered acting of Christian Bale) and overall it felt like a quality production. It was nicely shot, which added to the atmosphere, and well directed.

A very grim tale indeed, set in the north of England over the last ten years or so and told very even handedly but with great compassion. The early inertia by the police and the lack of action by the CPS beggar belief but we can see how it might have occurred. The three girls of the title were played with great skill and feeling by the young actresses - it was almost impossible to imagine that you were not watching a documentary, so life-like were their performances. Overall a powerful and moving portrayal of a very shabby set of incidents in recent history.

Despite its potentially interesting premise - a man meets a woman he knew fifteen years ago, but who has since changed identities several times - this film went absolutely nowhere. Given the premise and the first fifteen minutes, it seemed like it was going to be interesting, but this is a false dawn and it turns out to be one of the most pointless and boring films I have ever watched. Do not fall for the intriguing blurb!