Unforgivable

They don't make dramatists like Jimmy McGovern anymore. His latest film, 'Unforgiveable', bravely asks us to sympathise with a child abuser, in a story set in rows of terraced houses without front gardens and steeped in Catholic guilt. On one hand, it goes to obvious places, telling how terrible deeds live on in predictable ways; but McGovern deserves credit for showing that even those who do the worst things are human. However, while the message that abused people become abusers is undoubtedly true, it's also a little pat: in moving the deepest responsibility from the protagonist to his own abuser, it could be suggested that the script is merely passing the buck. Nonetheless, in what often seems like a merciless age, this is still a worthwhile, and welcome, drama to see on our television screens.

Unforgivable deals with the aftermath of a family dealing with uncle on nephew child abuse. Joe, the uncle, is released from prison on licence. Though time frames are rarely discussed this is soon after, but not related to, the death of his mother.

His sister, played by Anna Friel, whose son he abused is finding it difficult to cope with family life and come to terms with the horror of what happened.

There are other goings on that fill the 90 minute run time.

It is a well made drama, exploring the issues and trauma through a series of therapy sessions and real time drama.

This is a Jimmy McGovern drama so expect to feel uncomfortable.

Just because the central issue is horrific doesn't necessarily mean the drama itself will be outstanding.

There are many good performances balanced out by a few cardboard actors. Bobby Schofield who plays the uncle, was the wrong lead. He's not defined nor sharp enough. Anna Friel, the mother is outstanding as is David Threlfall, the grandad. The child actor who plays the nephew could have upped his game.

The 90 minute run time is heavy with cliches. The dysfunctional family has now become all too common in these dramas to the extent we have become desensitised to their plight.

Unforgivable does take an unexpected turn for which more time should have been allowed to scrutinise the developments. Instead, it's all crammed into the last 10 minutes and as the credits roll an overwhelming feeling of anticlimax prevails. Could have been so much more only if it was stretched out somewhat.

I was expecting so much more from this. It skirted around the story with little to no character development except for the lead actor, and seemed as if the script was written by a committee with no cohesion. It all seemed a bit rushed and incomplete in the end. It just goes to show that even with a couple of outstanding performances a poorly written script is always visible.

Great writing, great casting, and the acting was outstanding..a special mention to Bobby Schofield who portrayed his character superbly in what was no doubt a difficult acting task.

IMO this puts him right up there in the acting world, well done Bobby, well done to all involved.. Also a mention to Jimmy Mc and Colin Mc another cracking watch 👍

In bleak, stark, Brit drama "Unforgivable" Bobby Schofield gets outta jail a few years after molesting nephew Austin Haynes - with his release stressing the wider family inc his sister (& Haynes' mum) Anna Friel and their dad David Threlfall. Its blue-collar Merseyside style typifies renowned writer Jimmy McGovern, who again tackles a difficult & uncomfortable subject, and does so here with skill, balance, & sensitivity - peeling an onion layer on a distinctly taboo subject. Props too go to debut director Julia Ford who elicits some fine performances, especially from Schofield who's excellent, and Haynes. It's a hard, downbeat watch - but an admirably well-made film.