With a different actress this might have worked

Disagree. Maryanne Faithfull played this role with perfection. What you call “wooden” is what makes her character so poignant and compelling. “Maggie” must be portrayed as disinterested or indifferent about what she has to do to save her grandson. There is no other way to endure what she did.
Maryanne Faithfull has always been introverted and understated. She recovered from drug addiction in her early life and can still make her art. Her compassion, love, and self-abnegation for her grandson's recovery made an exceptional film.

katie keene

P.S. Although Julie Walters is usually pleasant to watch, she'd be too strong in this subtle role. As for Judi Dench, she repellent on film. Have you ever seen her interviewed? Dench comes off as 'dense' as Barbra Streisand, who at least can sing.

A few people have said that and I disagree, I thought Marianne Faithfull's performance was outstanding. That emotionless side to Maggie was just part of the character's diffident and introverted personality.

From a marketing point of view, I think the film may have done better had someone better known for acting played the part - would have been interesting to see Julie Walters playing the part though, she's one of the other very few actresses of the same generation who I think could play the poor, desperate and minimally-educated working class older woman that Maggie is, with genuine authenticity.

As much as like all the other ladies of that group - Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Vanessa Redgrave, Maggie Smith, Anne Reid, Jean Marsh - I don't think of them are able to play the part, without taking away the authenticity. They're all slightly a little too older as well.

Marianne was the best choice and did a perfect job.

"Milk's gone up. 49p a pint"