If... (TV Series) If... Drugs Were Legal (2005) User Reviews

Thought provoking, yet BIASED

[hellhound8 · 6/10 · 23 March 2007]

I'd recommend this documentary for anyone. Many of the issues hit hard, force you to think, and provide viewpoints you may never have thought of. With that said, it is quite biased.

The 'simulated future' is VERY bleak. The camera lighting and music set an incredibly depressing mood, which is extremely unfair to the argument. We are unevenly influenced by things such as music, mood, and visuals. Setting a negative tone overshadows all of the pro legalization arguments every expert brings sup.

Most of the interviews with real people bring up research and points that show HUGE benefits to society from legalization, but many of these are unfairly ignored because the mood is so damn depressing.

Also, the background story is irrelevant. "TWO PEOPLE DIED OF TAKING SEMI-LEGAL DRUGS IN THE FUTURE!!! SO HORRIBLE, BAN ALL DRUGS!!" The plot conveniently ignores the argument that thousands of people die today from unmonitored, and often laced, illegal drugs.

Final thoughts: Watch it, and take notes on the interviews. It brings up very many good points. Watch the 'simulation' for entertainment, but don't take it seriously. It contributes nothing to this piece.

Thoroughly engaging drama of an extremely popular modern media talking point

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 10 February 2005]

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

London,2015.All drugs,with the exception of cocaine and heroin,are now legal.With the prohibition on such substances as cannabis and Ecstasy now lifted,the modern social scene is flowing along nicely-that is,until a girl suffers a fatal black-out during a night out with her mates.The pharmacutical company behind the manufacture of the pill that caused the girl's death falls under heavy scrutiny,but,as two detectives,one a disgraced cop with a shady past,the other an eager young rookie probe deeper into the case,they discover all is most definitely not as it seems.Whilst all this is going on,a number of experts on the subject offer some highly cogent arguments for and against drugs and their potential legalization...

Few subjects seem to be getting more media attention these days than the subject of drugs.It seems not a day goes by where you can't pick up a national tabloid and see at least one column inch devoted to it.It says it all that this film was shown after BBC 2 was showing a series entitled Drugland where the effects of different drugs were explored on different parts of society and that immediately after it's broadcast there was a Newsnight debate that continued the subject past it's barrier.So it helps a lot that this manages to be a balanced,informed debate on the subject...

What makes it work so well is how it cleverly manages to juxtapose the commentary,documentary-style scenes in between shots of the actual story unfolding,which in turn involves you more and makes it a lot more interesting.It also helps that those who provide opinions have their cards layed firmly on the table either way-they're either deadly for the legalization of drugs or dead-set against it,there is no in-between.The opinions provided are very informed and offer serious food-for-thought.

As for the story itself,it's interesting,but it can't help but be somewhat depressing.It's shot in a typically bleak,grey camera style of a futuristic London,and there isn't much light relief offered in the proceedings,where it would have been much needed.It's very much shot in the dark,and it kind of puts you off because of it,although it does succeed in presenting a chilling premonition of things to come...

Still,it certainly brings a topic a lot of people have been talking about lately into tight perspective,and,if you're not quite sure yet which side of the coin your opinions fall on in relation to the topic of drugs and their legalization,it may well make you want to slap your thinking cap on.****