Unforgivable

They don't make dramatists like Jimmy McGovern anymore. His latest film, 'Unforgiveable', bravely asks us to sympathise with a child abuser, in a story set in rows of terraced houses without front gardens and steeped in Catholic guilt. On one hand, it goes to obvious places, telling how terrible deeds live on in predictable ways; but McGovern deserves credit for showing that even those who do the worst things are human. However, while the message that abused people become abusers is undoubtedly true, it's also a little pat: in moving the deepest responsibility from the protagonist to his own abuser, it could be suggested that the script is merely passing the buck. Nonetheless, in what often seems like a merciless age, this is still a worthwhile, and welcome, drama to see on our television screens.

In bleak, stark, Brit drama "Unforgivable" Bobby Schofield gets outta jail a few years after molesting nephew Austin Haynes - with his release stressing the wider family inc his sister (& Haynes' mum) Anna Friel and their dad David Threlfall. Its blue-collar Merseyside style typifies renowned writer Jimmy McGovern, who again tackles a difficult & uncomfortable subject, and does so here with skill, balance, & sensitivity - peeling an onion layer on a distinctly taboo subject. Props too go to debut director Julia Ford who elicits some fine performances, especially from Schofield who's excellent, and Haynes. It's a hard, downbeat watch - but an admirably well-made film.

Great writing, great casting, and the acting was outstanding..a special mention to Bobby Schofield who portrayed his character superbly in what was no doubt a difficult acting task.

IMO this puts him right up there in the acting world, well done Bobby, well done to all involved.. Also a mention to Jimmy Mc and Colin Mc another cracking watch 👍

Unforgivable 2025, BBC. 1 hour 43 minutes.

The aftermath and consequences of child abuse of a young boy, and his abuser.

Its a bleak watch, but the acting and story are so believable. Bobby Schofield, plays the abuser Joe along with his sister Anna Friel playing his sister Anna,, the mother of his victim Tom who struggle with the long term damage.

It is a difficult watch, because of the subject matter and due to the sympathy and understanding of Joe's circumstances and his brutal coming to terms with what he has done and lost.

Plaudits to writer Jimmy McGovern, and actors Friel, Schofield, Anna Maxwell Martin, David Threlfall and the young actor Austin Haynes who plays Tom.

It' been likened to Adolescence for its realistic portrayal of modern life, it's good but not that good, being a one off, it's a shame you couldn't get to know the characters more

Essentially telly, well done BBC, long may you live.

8/10.

I was expecting so much more from this. It skirted around the story with little to no character development except for the lead actor, and seemed as if the script was written by a committee with no cohesion. It all seemed a bit rushed and incomplete in the end. It just goes to show that even with a couple of outstanding performances a poorly written script is always visible.