The Children Act

Fiona Maye (Emma Thompson) is a respected High Court judge, known for her professional and well-considered rulings in the complex field of family law. Just as her marriage to Jack (Stanley Tucci) threatens to break down over her addiction to work, Fiona is asked to handle a complex case.

17-year-old Jehovah’s Witness Adam has leukemia and needs a blood transfusion in order to survive. When Adam refuses the live-saving medical treatment because of religious objections, Fiona has to rule whether he is too young to decide on life and death or whether free will should prevail. No matter what, her ruling will have far-reaching consequences for both of them.

Directed by Richard Eyre, The Children Act is based on the best-selling novel by Booker Prize laureate Ian McEwan (Atonement), who also wrote the screenplay for the film.