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Sally Hawkins, Elaine Cassidy, Rupert Evans, Charles Dance, Imelda Staunton ... see more see more... , David Troughton , Michelle Dockery , Stephanie Middleton , Anna Jordan , Anna Mottram , Karen Seacombe , Polly Hemingway , Tallula Pitt-Brown

Two women from different worlds are brought together by strange circumstances and forbidden desires in this period-drama. Sue Trinder (Sally Hawkins) was left on her own as a young child when her pare... read more read more...nts died, and she was forced to fend for herself, living on the street in the company of thieves and confidence men. Sue is given a chance to reform when she's taken in by Mrs. Sucksby (Imelda Staunton), who wants to keep her off the streets, but Sucksby's friend Richard Rivers (Rupert Evans) is familiar with Sue's old circle and lures her into an elaborate criminal scheme. Sue is to get a job as a maid to Maud Lilly (Elaine Cassidy), a young woman who lives with her uncle (Charles Dance) and will claim a large family inheritance when she marries. Sue's role is to act as confidante to Maud, so when Richard attempts to court her, Sue will help convince the young heiress that marrying Richard is the right thing to do. Richard's scheme is to marry Maud, have her sanity called into question, and then take possession of her fortune after she's committed to an asylum, but as Sue becomes close friends with Maud, she begins to wonder if she has the nerve to go through with the plan, especially when her feelings for Maud begin to extend beyond just friendship. As Sue's choice becomes nearly unbearable, fate steps in and she discovers all is not as she'd been led to believe. Fingersmith was produced for the BBC, where it first aired in the spring of 2005. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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90% liked it

4,061 ratings

Unrated, 3 hr.

Directed by: Aisling Walsh

Release Date: March 1, 2005

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DVD Release Date: September 13, 2005

Stats: 338 reviews

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Fingersmith 28 Fingersmith - Young Maud Lilly 2 Fingersmith - 'den of thieves' Fingersmith - Maud Lilly & Sue Trinder Fingersmith - Maud Lilly and Susan Trinder Sue and Maud - Fingersmith Fingersmith 31 Fingersmith - Mrs. Stiles Fingersmith - Sue and Maud Maud & Sue - Fingersmith Fingersmith 27 Elaine Cassidy as Maud Lilly Maud & Sue in Fingersmith Sally Hawkins in Fingersmith fingersmith 3 fingersmith 5 Sue and Maud - Fingersmith Sally Hawkins as Susan Trinder
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Flixster Reviews (338)

  • itsjustme2004
    December 9, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    You just can't beat a good BBC production, this one included. Full of twists, and turns, and unexpected surprises. Just when you think you've got a handle on what's going on, a new development arises to throw you in a new direction. Very well done. Top notch acting. Adapted from ... read morea really good novel, so I hear.
  • flixsterman
    July 2, 2009
    flixsterman
    Somewhat similar to Tipping the Velvet but with much less humor and whimsey. This made for television 'mini-series' has such a gloomy aura about it that it's difficult to see any of the characters in a favorable light. Beyond a few bright moments, Fingersmith seem... read mores better suited to PBS or BBC than DVD (IMO).
  • gator681
    August 21, 2007
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]In "Fingersmith," Susan's(Sally Hawkins) mother was hung at the gallows. She is now a thief, sharing a house with a gang of thieves that has an excellent view of them on Lant Street in Victorian London.(And to think, people now worry about violence on televi... read moresion.) She is recruited into a scam by Gentleman(Rupert Evans), another thief, who posing as a real gentleman, Richard Rivers, is out to seduce Maud Lilly(Elaine Cassidy) and drive her mad in order to gain control of her fortune that is due her once she marries.(Maud was born in an insane asylum and was adopted by her uncle(Charles Dance) to be his secretary.)[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"Fingersmith" is a BBC adaptation of the Sarah Waters novel. It is a perfectly adequate and none too original bodice ripper with a Dickensian flavor. After playing it straight for the first half, there is a huge twist, followed by revelations which come quick and often but it plays fair with the audience due to its changing points of view. And it does have some good thoughts about identity in the gilded age of Victorian England. [/font]
  • anastasia57001
    June 28, 2010
    anastasia57001
    This mini-series has more twists and turns that you'd ever imagine by the gloomy look of it at first. I also must say I am a sucker for happy endings. You'd never think it would get there, as well, but it does! It's a must see for gay women audience, no doubt. Sarah Waters fans, ... read morethere you go. Can't really tell if it's better than "Affinity" or "Tipping the Velvet".
  • MovieGuruDude72
    October 14, 2009
    MovieGuruDude72
    How could ANYONE sit with a straight face with a producer and name a movie about lesbian love "Fingersmith?" This has GOT to be a joke and this pun HAD to be intended. You can't make this crap up. LOL!!!!
  • mdiaz77083
    June 29, 2009
    mdiaz77083
    This one right here made me cry, any movie capable of doing that is good. The acting, suspense, and the love between the two are marvelous.
  • nakamuraherpeto
    April 1, 2009
    nakamuraherpeto
    This is one of my most favorite movies! I love the story, especially the romance! Sally Hawkins and Elaine Cassidy did EXCELLENT in this movie! *sniffle and sigh* so romantic.....
  • AlexSy
    January 31, 2009
    AlexSy
    sarah waters is a genious!!! love her victorian era style..






    a lot of twists in the story..and by the way, elaine cassidy is hot.. (:
  • zensmurf2
    July 12, 2008
    zensmurf2
    I would have liked to see this on the big screen at my multiplex














    I am so in love with this movie, the plot, love scenes, actors, etc etc etc





























    love t... read morehis movie!!!!!
  • moviezgirl
    June 16, 2008
    moviezgirl
    The twist of telling the story from two different viewpoints works so well here. This movie was surprisingly powerful and engaging.

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Critic Reviews

Kari Croop
February 1, 2012
Kari Croop, Common Sense Media

Twisty period drama has dark tone, mature sexual themes. Full Review

Jonathan Holland
June 22, 2011
Jonathan Holland, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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