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Appropriate Adult [DVD] [2011] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Format: DVD
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

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Region 1 encoding (requires a North American or multi-region DVD player and NTSC compatible TV. More about DVD formats.)

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Product details

  • Format: Colour, Dolby, Widescreen, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
  • Studio: Inception
  • DVD Release Date: 11 Sep 2012
  • Run Time: 136 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B008767P84

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Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

It’s inevitable, given the subject matter, that Appropriate Adult is not the kind of television factual drama that’s going to be to everyone’s taste. In telling the story of notorious British serial killers Fred and Rosemary West, it’s a project facing a real challenge to balance getting the material across, while never straying into any kind of sensationalising of it. Appropriate Adult, though, walks that line with a staggering amount of skill.

The story is told from the perspective of Janet Leach, the Gloucester housewife who was pivotal in uncovering the extent of the crimes of the Wests. Leach is played by Emily Watson in Appropriate Adult, and, even factoring in the pedigree of her work to date, it’s one of her very best performances.

She’s not alone, though. Dominic West, portraying Fred West, is extraordinary, and it’s the scenes shared by Watson and West that stick in the mind long after the credits have rolled. Appropriate Adult is, crucially, given two feature length episodes to tell its story, and much credit deserves to go to writer Neil McKay for the manner in which he’s tackled it. It’s a controversial piece of work, certainly, but it feels like a diligent one.

This is a sensitive drama that, at its best, is exquisitely played. And while Appropriate Adult is often difficult television, with its subject matter making it often haunting to watch, it’s of rare quality. McKay has found a strong angle from which to tell his story, and the end result is really quite excellent. --Jon Foster

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Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
29 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Unnervingly good 25 Sep 2011
By Becky Griffiths
Format:DVD
Fascinating drama. Excellent performances from Dominic West and Emily Watson. There has been a lot of criticism of Janet Leach, not least by her own son, I don't think this drama painted her in glory, I think the drama showed just how difficult it was for her to cope with the indescribable horror and immensely difficult situation she was placed within for which let's face it, no one could have been prepared for. I would have liked to had more information about what happened to her own legal case.
This drama was compelling but uncomfortable viewing and was very thought provoking about the impact the case has had on all of those involved, who but for this drama, you would never have thought about.
I applaud the actors involved, it was a fantastic piece of drama and has haunted me since I watched it.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Will hold your attention but NOT for the squeamish! 23 Sep 2011
By smartesthorse
Format:DVD
I guess most people are familiar with Fred and Rosemary West and perhaps have memories of TV footage of their garden being dug up as more and more bodies were unearthed. This DVD reconstructs all that.
At the time I tuned out after a while it all seemed so over the top it was like the stuff of movies, now it IS a movie.

This DVD is especially interesting and compelling because as the title suggests, it is told from the point of view of the Appropriate Adult. In case, like me, you are not quite sure what that means, it is a person called in by the police to attend interviews with suspects, when the suspect in question has issues of some kind such as learning difficulties.

This is Janet's first case as an Appropriate Adult, and what a case she gets landed with. Emily Watson puts in a thrilling performance, not sure that Fred West has learning difficulties he certainly has problems so enormous it seems impossible that a man could act like that, but West is shown as a MAN the film does not make a point of monstering him up, his derangement is revealed slowly and cleverly. Janet is alternately shocked and almost at the same time beguiled by West. Dominic West portrays his namesake Fred as highly manipulative and controlling of women. At the same time he suggests this enormous indifference and minimising of the agony and suffering he has caused to his victims..totally chilling.
The most scary character however is Rose West not much time on screen but every second she is there she is evil personified.

In case you don't know how this ends, for spoiler reasons I won't say but you may well feel it is suitable result for Fred. Not a feel good movie or a girls night in DVD but thought provoking and absorbing
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars "Enjoyment Turned to Disaster" 11 Feb 2012
By Tommy D TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This is an ITV made production based on the true life account of what happened in the case of Fred and Rose West. In 1994 the UK was rocked by the revelations of the married couple who turned out to be sadistic torturers and serial killers; this is part of that tragic story.

The film opens up in February of 1994, as the Gloucester Police close in with a warrant to search the West's' home at 25, Cromwell Street (the house became so notorious that it had to be demolished). Rose fears discovery and calls Fred to tell him that they have to put their plan into operation. Fred West is initially arrested because of the disappearance of his daughter. The police feel that he is `not the full shilling' as we used to say, and so decide they need an appropriate adult to advise him and see that fair play is done. As it is the weekend they can't get anyone but Janet Leach (played brilliantly by Emily Watson) is a trainee social worker and has done the training and is available. She thinks she has to sit in on someone with learning disabilities. She is clearly shocked as Fred starts to fess up to the murder and dismemberment of his own child.

The legal position of an `appropriate adult' entails professional confidence and as such anything he tells her in private, she can not relay to the police. Janet also has to deal with her common law husband who is so bi-polar that he is on lithium. As the relationship or more rightly dependency that Fred has on her develops, the more of her time is taken up by being there for him and the more her family suffer. Whilst he maintains that Rose is innocent, he starts to open up to Janet knowing it will go no further.

The death toll rises as more body parts are found, and the tension through out is palpable.... Read more ›
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Searingly Powerful Film 12 Dec 2011
By Grady Harp
Format:DVD
APPROPRIATE ADULT may not be available on USA Format DVD as yet, but for those interested in seeing this remarkable achievement in filmmaking, it is viewable now on Sundance Channel. Watch for it. APPROPRIATE ADULT is one of the few films that relates the true story of a serial killer without resorting to forcing the audience to watch reenactments of the murders. Instead the writer, director and actors bring this savage bit of history to the screen solely through a serious of interview conducted with the killer in the presence of the British police and an 'Appropriate Adult' - one who has been trained to help the accused by detecting if the accused has learning difficulties or other encumbrances that might make the interviews invalid.

First a bit of fact: 'Frederick Walter Stephen West (29 September 1941[1] - 1 January 1995), was a British serial killer. Between 1967 and 1987, he alone, and later, he and his wife Rosemary, tortured, raped and murdered at least 11 young women and girls, many at the couple's homes. The majority of the murders occurred between May 1973 and September 1979 at their home in Gloucester. Rosemary West also murdered Fred's stepdaughter (his first wife's biological daughter) Charmaine, while he was serving a prison sentence for theft. During this time they resided at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester. The house was demolished in 1996 and was converted into a landscaped footpath connecting Cromwell Street to St. Michaels Square.' It is now believed that West was responsible for 20 other similarly executed murders.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the sensitive but well produced.
Well produced excellent cast and good acting. Good characterization and a well handled drama about a difficult subject. Lovers of good tight British drama will like this. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Riley
5.0 out of 5 stars Appropriate Adult [DVD]
Powerful film about a true story...The storyline comes at it from an unusual angle...If you like true stories even about such horrific crimes then you won't be disappointed...
Published 1 month ago by Mr. C. J. Withers
5.0 out of 5 stars must see appropriate aduld
very sad but well told stoy abourt the appriate aduld who acterd for mr west
well have you fixed to you seats to found out whot happens
it is a must see if you like... Read more
Published 2 months ago by louise
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to watch if easily affected
I've always been a fan of crime shows on TV but when I started watching this programme I have to admit it was hard for me to watch but i really enjoyed it. I would recommend.
Published 3 months ago by Sheree Osborne
3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad
I missed this on TV so I bought it thinking it was going to be dark and intense. It was ok but I didn't really believe in the relationship between Fred and his appropriate adult. Read more
Published 4 months ago by L. K. Owen
5.0 out of 5 stars The West's
A very interesting film that doesn't glorify what they did. The acting is fabulous in it. Bought it for my mum & ended up watching it with her.
Published 4 months ago by Joanybabes
5.0 out of 5 stars Appropriate Adult [DVD]
Maybe not the nicest of topics but it did give some sort of an insight into what an Appropriate Adult may actually need to be involved in.
Published 4 months ago by Terry Howlett
5.0 out of 5 stars Great buy.
A gift for my sister and it didn't disappoint. Came well within the expected dispatch date and so was able to make sure it arrived in time for her birthday.
Published 5 months ago by SM
5.0 out of 5 stars Well handled difficult subject matter.
A delight to purchase this thought provoking item and to have it so readily available and so promptly delivered to my door. Read more
Published 5 months ago by John Gosset
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
Great viewing and very good value I'd highly recommend it if your interested in real life crime etc.. This is based on a true event and stayed true to it.
Published 5 months ago by Carmel
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