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At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Blistering performances.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

I came across this interesting drama on an old VHS tape recently. It certainly has plenty of intrigue and atmosphere but rambles into just one too many side stories along the way. Simpler would have been better in my opinion. Mathilda, played by the still stunningly beautiful Sian Phillips, is found naked in her bath. The victim of apparent suicide?Along comes near to retirement, local flat foot Sergeant Cooper, hoping to crack the case and leave the force on a higher pension rate. Of the main characters I found Joanna, played by Trudie Styler the most compelling. Although most men would view her as rather plain looking I have to confess that I couldn't keep my eyes off her. She has the most amazing, chiselled from granite (but sexy) face of any women. After several side issues (one or two somewhat kinky) have been resolved plod gets his man and we are treated to a VERY disturbing final scene. I enjoyed watching it again but it could have been 45 minutes shorter and better for it. 8 out of 10.

Having read the book and seen the TV series several times I'm still amazed as to how close to the characters in the book this adaptation gets. Miranda Richardson as the unbridled (pardon the pun) and headstrong GP and Trudie Styler (Sting's wife I've been told) as the troubled Joanna are the two actors and characters that will stay with me for a while, but this is an all around top notch cast they're all brilliant.