It is a mixture of easy on the eye commercial cinema and political drama. To the credit of the filmmaker, it took courage to make this film and among other things take on religious hypocrisy.
Although Spader gets lead billing this is Maggie's film. She overcomes a nightmare interview & intro to the job which includes situations, whilst enhanced here, might be familiar to many secretaries. The leads are great in this well written screenplay.
Sally Hawkins has one of those faces that can easily register a range of emotions. Mainly, thanks to her, this good plot idea is entertaining most of the time.
A growing–up story that captures its period pretty well. The casting of Anthony Hopkins certainly helps as does the easy on the eye photography and soundtrack.