Prima Facie, starring Cynthia Erivo, arrives in UK and Irish cinemas on November 13, the same week convicted rapist Russell Brand was sentenced to over 10 years in jail and allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming against David Walliams came to light. Walliams denies any wrongdoing.
The film, adapted by Suzie Miller from her award-winning play that took the West End and Broadway by storm in 2022 and 2023 starring Jodie Comer, follows Tessa, a brilliant barrister born as the daughter of a cleaner single mother. She got all the way to Cambridge and has little patience for anyone who underestimates her.
A lawyer's world turned upside down
In court, Tessa is ruthless and confronts her opposition like a shark circling the waters ahead of her strike. She has spent her career defending those accused of crimes including rape, believing that 'people are fallible and their word has to be tested – especially when someone's freedom is at stake'.
Among her professional success, she enjoys the flirty beginnings of something with her colleague Julian (Daniel Ings), another star barrister considered a 'good guy' and 'the whole package' by everyone else. But one night, their relationship takes a dark turn, and Tessa finds her situation completely reversed as she experiences law and order from the perspective of someone who has been subjected to sexual assault.
Erivo's exceptional performance
Directed by Susanna White, the film is not a subtle one and has struggled in comparison to the bravura stage show version, which provides extra impact with the impressively demanding one-woman format. But Erivo is as exceptional as always, elevating the film around her to the best that it can be within the confines of the screen and this new multi-role version.
The last act feels more fumbled in its execution, with Erivo's climactic final courtroom monologue the only part of her performance that doesn't ring true, feeling unrealistically forced. But Prima Facie is uncomfortable, as it's supposed to be, and emotional – albeit sometimes clunky – viewing as a social justice drama.
Prima Facie is not perfect, but it's necessary – especially in these current times – and Erivo's power and prowess is to be admired. It has uncomfortable impact with its knotty story of sexual assault, but it's Erivo's blazing performance that ensures you'll be thinking about it afterwards.
