Reviews and recommendations on the Compelling Beasts blog are my honest opinion. I purchase the books, comics, and movies that I recommend and review and I do not accept free copies for review.
Dangerous Lady has a lot going on. It’s a gangster movie, a romance and a story of redemption. It’s about a family’s brutal legacy and their downfall. With a mother who is satisfied to let her son take over her responsibilities and a neglectful father, Michael Ryan (Jason Isaacs) was, as a child, forced to take control of his family so that his siblings could survive. He did this by turning to a life of crime. Though his younger sister, Maura (Susan Lynch), was somewhat sheltered from her family’s wrongdoings, she was inevitably corrupted, becoming the leader of them all.
Maura is a fascinating character. Her initial desires are like those of many other people–harmless, focused on the man she loves and the idea of having a life with him. Unfortunately Terry (Owen Teale) is a police officer. He and her family are on opposite sides of the law and this creates problems for the couple from the first.
When personal tragedy strikes, Maura realizes that being a “good girl” isn’t the way to go and methodically plots to rise in the family “business.” Now tainted by her family’s violence, Maura is on the road to destruction and turning back seems impossible, until her path crosses Terry’s again. A hidden truth is revealed and she realizes only she can turn her life around.
While Maura definitely has an sinister side, she also has heroic qualities. She’s courageous, determined, and can be loyal to those she loves. She’s more interested in targeting those who cause her and her family harm than in tormenting innocent people. Part of her wants to be good, but like her brother, Michael, she turned toward crime to deal with her problems.
While I’m not generally a fan of gangster movies, Dangerous Lady is an exception. I’ve watched this miniseries multiple times and it’s still one of my favorites. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys complex characters, action and a bit of romance.
Find out more about Dangerous Lady at IMDb.