The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987)

Largely unknown in the United States, The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne contains what is arguably Maggie Smith's finest film performance. When playing eccentric characters, Smith is sometimes accused of being mannered, but there is nothing phony or artificial in this unsparing portrayal of a forlorn, quietly desperate spinster. Judith Hearne has never lived her own life and has kept her innermost desires and secrets bottled up, both metaphorically and literally, as Hearne is a drinker. Smith clearly understands the deep, intense, and painful passion that lies beneath the piano teacher's placid exterior. She also is aware of her character's social ineptitude, as well as her vanity and foolishness, and is not afraid to let the audience see her flaws. It's a searing performance, one that is so deeply felt as to be excruciatingly painful for the audience; the viewer feels both pity and embarrassment for her, and feels them deeply. Smith uses every resource at her command, from the catch in her voice to the cast of an eye to the measured reach for a bottle to create a character of remarkable vividness. Bob Hoskins is also excellent, although the story and the manner in which the role is framed do not give him the same range of opportunities as Smith. The movie has its problems -- it dawdles occasionally, the troubles borne by Hearne at times amount to overkill, and Smith's performance is so real that it is sometimes difficult to keep watching the screen -- but overall it's a fine, small film with a towering central performance. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide