I first heard bits and pieces about the vicious and unbelievable murders of serial killers Fred and Rose West from jokes made on Mock the Week, so naturally I was curious to see one of the first dramatisations of the story. Basically, set in 1994, Gloucestershire, Janet Leach (BAFTA winning, and Golden Globe nominated Emily Watson) is the voluntary worker and social worker brought in to sit in the interviews to help with the investigation into a series of murders. The man in question requiring her presence is Frederick Walter Stephen West (300's BAFTA winning Dominic West, no relation), who is suspected of killing his daughter and an ex-wife, and soon enough he confesses in detail to a killing or two. As time goes by and Fred agrees to show the authorities where he put the remains of his victims, he also hints to Janet of more people he has killed, but because of her obligation of confidentiality to him she cannot tell the police. Meanwhile, she also seems to be forming an overly complicated personal relationship with Fred as he gains her trust to help him get back his family and house, but to do this he must promise to reveal all the people he has killed. Also being questioned about the various murders, which may total up to twenty or more victims, is Fred's wife Rosemary Pauline West, née Letts (BAFTA winning Monica Dolan), who is seen on screen mostly swearing a lot and shouting that she is innocent and to let her husband go. After confessing the people he has allegedly killed Fred is sentenced to a court hearing which obviously turns into a life sentence, and Janet is forced but also obliged to continue the relationship with Fred in prison. The police continue their examination of the sights Fred pointed out, the bodies that have been found, and whether Rose is indeed guilty of killing as well, and Janet has a final telephone conversation with Fred. This is before the next day when he was found dead from hanging himself, Janet's husband realises that she may have had some bond towards the serial killer, like a friend. In the end, after Janet is slowly moving on with her own life with her husband and children Rose is the one who left to stand trial and she is indeed found guilty for many of the countless murders and sentenced to life imprisonment, advised never to be released. Also starring Hustle's Robert Glenister as Detective Superintendent John Bennett, Sylvestra Le Touzel as Detective Constable Hazel Savage, Anthony Flanagan as Mike, Samuel Roukin as Detective Constable Darren Law, Gerard Horan as Howard Ogden, Seline Hizli as Mae West, James McArdle as Stephen West, Rupert Simonian as Josh, Sophie Downham as Jade, Jasper Jacob as Brian Leveson QC, Robert Whitelock as DC Carl Kempinsky and Paula Williamson as Kirsty Stephens, and featuring the voices of real reports from Sir Trevor McDonald, John Suchet and Radio 1's Steve Scott. What is extraordinary about this dramatisation of the story is that it does not need to sensationalise any of the reported or discovered events, i.e. we never see any murders committed or see any bodies brought up from under the garden soil or the patio, this by the way is all I have heard about the murders, mostly from jokes made. Watson is fantastic as the social worker protagonist who sits and walks through the movements of the serial killer and finds some kind of odd but plausible need to be near him, and Dolan is really good as the swearing and equally dangerous Rose, but of course the show is stolen by the superb performance from West putting on an authentic Gloucestershire accent and is completely believable and powerful as the killer who acts calm but also nervous, but is not afraid when asked to describe in vivid detail about his murders and where the bodies can be found. I have had bad experiences with television dramas in the past, only Goodnight Mister Tom stands out as one of the truly brilliant ones, but I was pleasantly surprised by this utterly compelling and astoundingly played and scripted story of shocking murder and inhuman activity, played very calmly but fantastically engaging, superb crime drama. It won the BAFTA for Breakthrough Talent, and it was nominated for Best Director: Fiction for Julian Jarrold, Best Mini-Series, Best Production Design and Best Writer. Very good!
Review of Appropriate Adult
