Children Crossing *** (1990, Peter Firth, Saskia Reeves, Bob Peck) – Classic Movie Review 5248

Director Angela Pope’s 1990 British thriller is made for BBC2’s admirable Screen Two series of films, is based on the novel by Verity Bargate and stars Peter Firth, Saskia Reeves and Bob Peck.

When quiet, suburban wife Rosie (Reeves) discovers her untrustworthy husband Joe (Firth) has been unfaithful with her sexy friend, she takes their children away to Cornwall, and becomes attracted to Dr John (Peck). But then there is a terrible tragedy.

It is a gripping, disturbing psychological thriller, with writer Trevor Preston’s effective teleplay based on Verity Bargate’s novel of guilt, betrayal and revenge. And it is powerfully directed by Pope who made Sweet As You Are (1987), Dream Baby (1989) and Captives (1994).

There are excellent performances by Firth and Peck, but all eyes will be on Reeves’s tour de force as a demented woman scorned.

Also in the cast are Richard Hope, Rachel Joyce, Gillian Raine and Leonie Mellinger.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5248

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