Colette Hughes, a lawyer championing patients' rights, represents Eleanor Riese, a psychiatric patient who unexpectedly impacts Colette's workaholic tendencies.Colette Hughes, a lawyer championing patients' rights, represents Eleanor Riese, a psychiatric patient who unexpectedly impacts Colette's workaholic tendencies.Colette Hughes, a lawyer championing patients' rights, represents Eleanor Riese, a psychiatric patient who unexpectedly impacts Colette's workaholic tendencies.
- Awards
- 5 nominations total
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Featured reviews
Courage with a capitol C
I watched this movie with more than 65 Patients Rights Advocates at our annual CAMHPRA meeting. We thank you all for making the film, it reaffirms our passion for the struggle of Patient Rights and their Civil Rights
The Actors should be given awards and in my opinion big abrazos for protraying Eleanor and Collette and Mort (RIP we miss you so much). and for bringing to light an issue that everyone takes for granted.
We know the battle was long and heart breaking but we thank you for the end results. We may not always win but when we win our clients win big.
Please watch the film. Please support the mentally ill, we all break at one time or another and we need to support each other.
I highly recommend this film
Gloria h/fresno
Sympathetic without being depressing
55 Steps is an inspiring legal drama about a victim of psychiatric "care" seeking legislative protection from forced medication on behalf of the mentally ill. Hillary Swank, who is always great to watch, does not disappoint as the patient rights advocacy lawyer fighting for a just cause, but I was pleasantly surprised by how believable the often-typecast Helena Bonham Carter's dynamic and nuanced performance was as real-life plaintiff Eleanor Riese. This film is sure to be underrated but you definitely shouldn't miss it if you or anyone you know has experienced being inside a mental hospital.
Mentally Ill Does not mean Incompetent
This is an important story. Helena Bonham Carter is Exemplary in this role!! It's important for people to understand that mental illness does not mean that someone is automatically incompetent. Watch it.
An Important Movie with Tremendous Acting
55 Steps tells the very important story of Eleanor Riese and her personal and legal struggle to gain control over her medical treatment and her life. Helena Bonham Carter is amazing as Eleanor. The movie is based on Eleanor's legal case and the efforts of her lawyers but is really about Eleanor's growing friendship with her lawyer Colette Hughes, played by Hilary Swank in a typically strong performance.
Oh hello, helena bonham carter! Says, The Oscars...
When I saw this movie, I didn't have an idea as to what to expect. I clicked it because I saw HBC plus, Hillary Swank... I mean come on, those 2? Who wouldn't be interested in a movie that has them as the lead stars... Ok so, Helena gave an award-worthy acting on this movie. She was impeccable! I couldn't say much about hillary because her acting here is just ok, her role didn't really bring out the best of her acting ability. All in all, you should see this film because of the powerful message it wants to convey! I highly recommend this.
Did you know
- TriviaThe story was first mentioned to Helena Bonham Carter 13 years ago, with Helena playing the role of Collette and Susan Sarandon playing Eleanor.
- GoofsDuring one scene of this film set in the 1980s, a jogger is running through a park in a Pistons #33, the jersey of Grant Hill--who didn't start playing until 1994.
- Quotes
Colette Hughes: I first met Eleanor Riese as her lawyer, but soon--because Eleanor was Eleanor--Eleanor became my friend. And soon, because Eleanor was Eleanor, she became my protector, my guardian, my worst critic, and my greatest support.
- Crazy creditsEleanor Riese died on April 6, 1991 of a kidney infection resulting from the side effects of antipsychotic medication. She was 47 years old.
- SoundtracksSugartime
(uncredited)
Written by Odis 'Pop' Echols and Charlie Phillips
Performed by The McGuire Sisters
- How long is 55 Steps?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- €7,500,000 (estimated)
- Runtime
- 1h 55m(115 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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