The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: The Murder at Road Hill House (2011)

 

This made-for-TV movie is based on a real-life case conducted by a Scotland Yard detective.  A second Mr. Whicher film has since been made, which I may poke around for (not least of which because it features Olivia Colman, DI Miller from Broadchurch!)  It’s a pretty well-made Victorian murder drama, and the production design is lovely.

 

The titular Mr. Whicher is sent from London to Wiltshire, where a three-year-old boy has been found murdered.  The evidence suggests it was someone in the house, a family member or a servant, and Whicher is dogged in his pursuit of the killer.  He acknowledges that, however dark the truth may be, it’s his sworn duty to bring it to light.

 

PC plays Samuel Kent, the father of the murdered boy.  Kent’s house has been thrown into turmoil over the murder and the resulting investigation; the local townsfolk have been hurtling accusations at many members of his house, including himself.  He is anxious for Whicher to find the killer, but as the facts of the case start coming together, he begins to dread its resolution – the identity of the killer stands to be as horrific as the killing.

 

For the most part, it’s is decently-developed supporting role.  Plenty of British-actors-of-a-certain-age would’ve been perfectly serviceable in the part, and there’s not a ton for PC to do, but it’s not without merit.  It’s interesting to see him wrestle with conflicting loyalties, and there is one especially fine scene where Whicher lays out his suspicions and Kent is forced to confront how terrible the truth may be.

 

Several familiar faces here.  Mr. Whicher is played by Paddy Considine, who will always have my affection for his performance as the dad in the fantastic In America.  Additionally, there are small roles for Ben Miles (Patrick in the original U.K. version of Coupling) and William Beck (the odious John Thorpe in Northanger Abbey.)

 

Accent Watch

 

A pretty good RP – a few vowel slips, but nothing major.

 

Recommend?

 

In General – Maybe.  It’s a tense mystery with some good performances and gorgeous film work.

 

PC-wise – Possibly.  It doesn’t approach the upper echelon of PC roles, but there are a couple of strong scenes for him.

 

Warnings

 

All the violence happens off screen, but the details of the investigation are very dark.  Some additional sexual references – pretty Victorian, though, so they’re fairly tame.