The Laceman (film)

Promotional poster for The Laceman

***The Laceman*** is a 2020 detective noir film starring Ralph Fiennes, Felicity Jones and countless other British thespians.

Set in 1920s London, the story focuses on a mysterious and respected figure known solely as the Laceman, whose purpose is to tie up people's shoelaces in a world where this is considered a difficult task, particularly for those involved in criminal activity. He is then wrongly linked to a string of crimes, and ends up being pursued by the fastidious Detective.

*The Laceman* received critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple awards, winning many of them.

## Plot

In 1920s London, there are rumours and even confirmed sightings of a mysterious figure who goes only by the name of the Laceman (Fiennes). When members of society find that their shoe laces are undone, they can petition the Laceman and sometimes he will appear and do their laces for them.

Meanwhile, Scotland Yard is following a case that involves a string of murders. However, Detective, the detective assigned to the case, realises that the victims have all had their laces tied.

In a raucous tavern, the Laceman appears at the door and helps a cooper whose shoe laces have come undone. A crowd gathers and watches in awe as he performs his shoe lacing mastery. Later, this cooper is found dead.

Back in the tavern, vaudeville performer and prostitute Bonnie (Jones) is preparing to perform on stage when she discovers her laces are undone. She pleads for the Laceman to find her, and before she can blink she hears him enter the room. As he goes to tie her laces, it is clear that the two are deeply attracted to one another. As soon as he finishes tying her laces, he leaves a smitten Bonnie alone in the room.

One day, Detective is browsing a curiosity shop when Bonnie walks in. Bonnie meets her friend, and explains in hushed tones how she met the Laceman the night before and how well he did her laces. The Detective is intrigued, and after asking around the area about this Laceman he deduces that he must be connected to the murders.

Bonnie accidentally finds the Laceman again, and they spend the night together. The Laceman carefully undoes her under garments and then braids her hair into an intricate plait before the pair make love. When she awakes in the morning, the Laceman is just leaving. That night, Detective has worked out where Bonnie works and attends one of her shows. After the show, he sneaks backstage and tells her he is also looking for the Laceman. He then threatens her that, should she meet him again, she needs to report to him.

## Cast

* Ralph Fiennes as the Laceman (Warwick Davis as child Laceman in a flashback scene)
* Felicity Jones as Bonnie
* Sean Bean as the Detective
* Miriam Margoyles as someone probably

## Reception

*The Laceman* was released to critical acclaim and commercial success. The film was nominated for a string of awards from BAFTA and the Academy Awards. Hams Zipper's score was also nominated for several awards.

## Missing Scenes

During the original run, the film's main love scene was altered quite a bit from the original cut, due to it feeling out of pace with the rest of the film. In the scene, Bonnie character removes a bob-cut wig which she wore on stage within her dancing routine, revealing long flowing locks which fall down her back. However in the removed sequence, Bonnie reaches up to remove her wig but rather than beautiful tumbling locks, she reveals a shining bald head. The Laceman is then seen pulling a horrified expression whilst acting out a cutting throat motion with his hand.