Responsible Child

I was left sobbing and in bits. Billy Barrett is a true actor with a bright future.

A tragic story so brilliantly told.

This is not an easy watch but it is well worth the effort. I caught it by chance, in BBC IPlayer. Billy Barrett is already a terrific young actor, and rightly steals the limelight from the more experienced cast. A terrific BBC production.

An American viewer here. I didn't know much about the "crown" system and how children this young could be tried as adults in the UK. I had read that the lead actor playing Ray, Billy Barratt, won an International Emmy for Best Actor for this role and I figured that they didn't give those out to just anyone. I'd say that he earned it.

It was heartbreaking throughout. You can tell he was doing more than repeating learned lines. There seemed to be a building tension of Ray being overwhelmed from not knowing what was going to happen next and being separated from his brother. A few scenes broke me for a bit. I don't know how much of this was fictionalized and how much really happened. It made me wonder if the actor needed a few therapy sessions afterwards.

Made for TV films in my country are usually terrible, so it is indeed the only one I'd recommend.

Gripping look at the justice system in England and Wales

A very heartfelt and look at our failing country and justice system. Depends which side of it the fence you sit on I suppose. Only disappointing thing for me was a lack of scenery around the actual murder so that the viewer can see what the jury see's as well as a typical 'based on a true story' update at the end on where all involved are currently and how they are doing. Otherwise a decent portrayal of an horrific moment in their lives.