When public opinion can't be changed

The Children’s Hour is a film that has unintentionally aged like fine wine since it’s first release, not just in terms of it’s bold and influential gay subtext during the Hays Code era, but for the whole viewing, I couldn’t help but tie the injustices Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine’s characters face to the current cancel culture climate, specifically in the real life instances where the accusations are either misrepresented, perceived bigger than they really are or just flat out lies, all of which are tragically showcased here. We see not only the impact instances like this have on people professionally, but personally, and what it can heartbreakingly lead to when public opinion can’t be changed…until the truth, if ever, finally comes clean, which by that point, their reputation cannot truly ever recover.

Audrey once again never fails in delivering such a versatile performance. To me, she is the single most moving actress in all of cinema. And Shirley too plays her character with such magnificent visual subtlety, her face and body language alone convey everything you need to know.