THE SUSPICIONS OF MR WHICHER: MURDER IN ANGEL LANE

UK, 2014, 90 minutes, Colour.
Paddy Considine, Olivia Coleman, William Beck, Sean Dingwall, Justin Edwards, Justine Mitchell, Mark Bazeley, Alastair Petrie.
Directed by Christopher Menaul.

The first television film in this series of four, based on books by Kate Summerscale, was an authentic crime in London in the 1860s. The further films in the series took the central character, the detective John Whicher, his failing in his first mission in the true story but then his becoming a private investigator.

Paddy Considine is Mr Whicher – a character more to be admired and warmed to.

This is the story of a woman stabbed to death in a seedy part of London. Her aunt, played by Olivia Coleman, is searching for her and her newborn baby. The father of the child is accused of the murder.

The plot is rather complex with Mr Whicher investigating, assisted by a policeman, George Locke (Sean Dingwall) without the knowledge of the officials.

There are quite a number of leads, a locket stolen from the dead girl, contact with the fence, leading to a criminal who had stolen it but was not guilty of the crime but giving more detail about the story. There are various other criminals, complicated interactions, leading to stories from the past, the death of the father of the aunt, murdered, the death of his assailant, the accused being his son, and the assailant’s brother inheriting the farm, selling it, becoming a prosperous businessman in London.

There is an unexpected twist at the end involving the policeman. There are also secrets and lies, family codes, illegitimate children, family fortunes and, finally, admission of the truth and the possibilities for some kind of happy future.

1. Mr Whicher? The series? The 19th century, crime in London, the police, detection? Private detectives? The novel is – and the origin in actual cases?

2. The atmosphere, the recreation of the period, the London streets, dingy? Angel Lane, the inns, the hovels? Police officers? The countryside, the property, the mansion? The funeral? Authentic atmosphere? The musical score?

3. Themes, secrets and lies, families and codes, acquisition of money, illegitimate children, deaths? Issues of corruption, conscience?

4. Paddy Considine as Mr Whicher, his age, the previous experience, his failure? Dismissed from the police force? Living plainly, his niece? The encounter, Susan Spencer, in the inn, her enquiries, Mr Whicher saving her? The connection? The story, the missing niece? Whicher and his connections, the call on him during the night, finding the body, the murder? Interrogations? Susan going and identifying her unwillingly? The police?

5. Susan Spencer, her story, wealth, the visits, the later discovery of the truth, not only her niece but her daughter? Her lies about being sent away from home? Her father, his wealth, his death, the accusation and the death of the alleged murderer? The two brothers, the other brother, inheriting the farm, creating the business, prospering in London? The seduction of Susan, her not telling the truth about the child? Susan and her reactions, Mary’s relationship with the nephew? Her accusing him?

6. The search for the child, the welfare homes, the nun, the priest, the safety of the child? Mr Whicher’s niece looking after the child for a time?

7. The police, the inspector, his negative attitude towards Mr Whicher? Dolly and the past friendship? George Lock, agreeing to collaborate with Mr Whicher? Not telling the authorities? His presence, the interrogations? His deception and his unmasking?

8. Information, the locket, Mr Whicher going to the fence, the lead on the criminal, his story with the dead body, his being in jail, telling the truth?

9. The nephew, his presence, the family background, his father and his death, his uncle, going to his uncle for financial support and being rejected? The accusations, his violence towards Mr Whicher? The discovery of the truth, his wanting to help Mary, the plan? The child?

10. Locke, his character, support? The other criminals, contracts and killings, Mr Whicher and his visit to the wife?

11. The interviews with Thomas, his business, story about his nephew? Mary’s funeral? The confrontation, the truth, the death of his brother, inheriting the wealth, not supporting his nephew?

12. The truth, Lock and his blackmailing, getting cash, confronting Mr Whicher, wanting Thomas to kill him? Thomas killing Lock?

13. Thomas, his regrets, prison?

14. The background of the institutions in London, the priest, on the prowl, looking for women, his reputation? The nuns and their care?

15. The explanations for Susan, her admitting the truth, having the child, reconciliation with the nephew?