🎬 55 Steps: A Powerful Story of Friendship and Fighting for Justice

55 Steps (2017) is a moving drama directed by Bille August, based on a true story that highlights an important legal battle for patients’ rights — and an unexpected, heartwarming friendship. With powerhouse performances by Hilary Swank and Helena Bonham Carter, this film brings both courtroom intensity and emotional depth.

📝 Plot Overview

Set in San Francisco in 1985, 55 Steps follows Colette Hughes (Hilary Swank), a determined patients’ rights lawyer who meets Eleanor Riese (Helena Bonham Carter), a psychiatric patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

Eleanor seeks legal help because the hospital is administering medication without her informed consent. As Colette and her team take on a major class-action lawsuit against the hospital system, a deep and inspiring friendship forms between the two women — a bond that transcends lawyer-client dynamics.

The film intertwines serious legal drama with touching moments of humor and connection, showing how even a difficult fight can lead to personal growth and compassion.

⭐ Why 55 Steps Deserves Attention

Real-Life Inspiration: The movie is based on the actual landmark case, Riese v. St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center, which helped establish patients’ rights to refuse psychotropic medications in California unless they were deemed incompetent by a court.
Outstanding Performances:
- Helena Bonham Carter brings vibrant energy and heartbreaking vulnerability to Eleanor.
- Hilary Swank perfectly captures the driven, principled nature of Colette while showing her human side.
- Jeffrey Tambor adds depth as Mort Cohen, the experienced legal mentor.
An Emotional Balance: The film carefully balances heavy legal issues with the uplifting story of personal empowerment and friendship.
A Reminder of Human Dignity: 55 Steps serves as a powerful reminder that dignity, autonomy, and human rights are not privileges — they are basic necessities that everyone deserves, no matter their mental health status.

🎥 Interesting Facts About 55 Steps

📜 Based on a Landmark Legal Case: The real Eleanor Riese’s court victory paved the way for major changes in psychiatric care in the United States, emphasizing the rights of patients.

🎬 From a Veteran Director: Bille August, who also directed Pelle the Conqueror and The Best Intentions, brings a sensitive and nuanced touch to the storytelling.

🎞️ Premiered at TIFF: The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2017.

💬 Authentic Portrayal of Mental Illness: Helena Bonham Carter worked closely with mental health advocates to respectfully portray Eleanor’s experience without falling into stereotypes.

💬 Final Thoughts: A Quietly Powerful Film

55 Steps isn’t your typical courtroom thriller. It’s slower, more personal — but that’s what makes it resonate. It’s about the fight for autonomy, the healing power of trust, and how advocacy can change not only laws but also lives.

If you enjoy films that combine emotional depth with real-world significance, 55 Steps is definitely one to watch. It reminds us that sometimes, the most important victories are the ones fought with heart, empathy, and a willingness to truly listen.

🌟 “Sometimes the bravest step is just believing you have the right to say no.” 🌟