After opening to critical acclaim at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, A24 and DIRECTV have just released the first trailer for The Children Act. Showcasing aspects of a courtroom drama paired with familial emotional beats, the trailer follows Fiona May, a High Court judge played by Academy Award-winning Emma Thompson.
The film tells the story of May, as she judges a deeply personal court case regarding the survival of teenager Adam (Dunkirk’s Fionn Whitehead). Restricted by his religious beliefs, which are instilled in him through his Jehovah’s Witness practice, Adam refuses the blood transfusion that could prove crucial to his Leukemia treatment. Confronted by Adam’s beliefs, as well as dealing with a faltering relationship with her husband (Stanley Tucci), Fiona May finds this case to be especially taxing – and her journey seems to make for a rather compelling film.
BAFTA-nominated Richard Eyre (Notes on a Scandal, Iris) directs the film, which was adapted from Ian McEwan’s novel of the same title. McEwan’s literary work is impressive to say the least, most notable for his screenplay for Atonement. Fionn Whitehead gave a grounded performance in Dunkirk – even while Nolan’s script held restraint for dialogue. Nevertheless, it looks like Whitehead will exhibit his expanded range in this film.
The Children Act will become available on DIRECTV on August 16th and expand to select theaters on September 14th, courtesy of A24. Check out the first trailer below.