Longford is based on Myra Hindley (Samantha Morton) and the relationship she forms with Frank Pakenham (Jim Broadbent). In 1965, Hindley and her lover, Ian Brady (Andy Serkis) earned spots as two of the most hated criminals in English history. Known as the Moors Murders, the two lured children to gruesome, torturous deaths before burying their bodies on the moors.
Although most of society saw Hindley as a monster, Pakenham, the Earl of Longford, believed no one was beyond forgiveness. As an outspoken supporter of prison reform, Pakenham saw prisons as a place to help criminals turn their lives around and exit as better people, rather than warehouses for the worst examples of civilized society. Pakenham was more than just a mouthpiece when it came to this belief and would often visit criminals in prison. At her request, he meets up with Hindley and tries to help her, eventually championing her release from prison despite strong public outcry against her release.
Longford is a smart film that manages to work in a message without blatantly telling you one. Although the story is about forgiveness and seems to advocate that no one is unforgivable, it doesn't slam you with the message. Instead, it leaves the subject open for debate and personal view point.
Pakenham is presented as an idealist who believes in his message but, at the same time, he does have a bit of street savvy from his work with criminals. Both are put to the test by Hindley who manages to beguile by telling him that she did what she did because she was afraid of losing Brady - something Pakenham is willing to believe until Brady tells him of Hindley's deceptive ways and warns Pakenham not to fall for Hindley's allure just as he did. Though Pakenham never outright states if he does indeed have "a thing" for Hindley, it adds a different twist to his motivation.
Both the acting and directing in Longford are what make the movie. Broadbent is great in his role though Serkis, who is best known as the actor behind The Lord of the Rings's Gollum, steals the show and presents a mirror to Broadbent. While Pakenham tries to convince the viewers that there is good in everyone, Brady shows that true evil does exist.
Longford will probably come off as something different for its viewers. Some may see it as a story of redemption and forgiveness, while others may see a blind, idealistic fool. Though it may not appeal to all viewers, especially those who require action, Longford is worth viewing.
