Inevitably, some will avoid a film about mental illness and patients' rights for fear of it being "worthy" or "depressing". And, sure, this is undoubtedly the kind of story that used to be packaged for "disease of the week" telemovies. What elevates "55 Steps" above that lowly status is an extraordinary performance by Helena Bonham Carter as Eleanor Riese. It's not only a detailed, sensitive and touching portrayal of a woman with mental illness, but a smart, masterful exercise in calibrating a performance that balances both drama and comedy so that a difficult and potentially alienating subject becomes entertaining and ultimately uplifting. It takes an actor with incredible skill and range to pull off such a feat, and Bonham Carter is one of only a handful who could do it. That in the past few years she's also convincingly played roles as disparate as Elizabeth Taylor and Madame Thenardier demonstrates what a remarkable actor HBC has become. But this may be her best performance yet. Well worth seeing.

Eleanor Riese (Helena Bonham Carter) is a psychiatric patient in a San Francisco hospital. She is physically forced to medicate. She needs a lawyer. Former psych nurse Colette Hughes (Hilary Swank) takes the groundbreaking case.

It's a sincere true story. Carter gives a compelling performance and keeps her likeable despite her more annoying eccentricities. Swank is a little stiff although that may be the role. It's compelling history and it's done well.

This is a wonderful story. Based on a real relationship, it is about so much more than a legal ruling. It is a story about the profound difference a person can make in another's life. It is about valuing individuals not according to what they can't do but for what they can do and who they are. Helena Bonham Carter is a brilliant actress and her full art is on display here in all its understated brilliance (American accent, and all). Hilary Swank is perfect for her role. I can only imagine the topsy-turvy switch up that must have happened when they called "cut", two such highly awarded actors. I give this film an 8 (great) out of 10. {Life Inspired Drama}