Maxine (2022) User Reviews

Effective drama based around a horrific true life crime

[JRB-NorthernSoul · 7/10 · 13 October 2022]

Should a drama series be made about such a terrible crime? This will undoubtedly be a divisive piece of television and many will argue it's inappropriate. On the other hand there are exploitative true crime documentaries on TV every night which attract an audience.

To be fair to the makers they chose to frame the story through the eyes of Maxine Carr rather than her abhorrent partner.

As a drama it was well made and directed, the script was good and the two central performances were excellent. Its hard to believe this was Jemma Carlton's first major role playing Maxine, she surely has a great career in front of her. It was better than I expected all round.

Personally I didn't find it disrespectful the way it was told, but I can easily understand why others would disagree or avoid watching.

A chilling story, well told.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 13 October 2022]

Maxine Carr and Ian Huntley, two names that conjure up many feelings, mainly loathing, repulsion and hatred.

This three part series tells the story of the pair, giving some background to their toxic relationship, and the failings in authority that allowed Huntley to land the job of a school caretaker.

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to watch it, I remember the case very well, such a tragedy, but it was very well and sensitively handled I thought.

Without a doubt this is one of the best dramas to come from Channel five, in terms of acting and direction, credit to the production team.

Terrific acting, amazing to see that this was a first TV role for Jemma Carlton, who perfectly portrayed Card, that scene of the TV interview was chillingly authentic. Scott Reid was terrific as Huntley also.

If you are sensitive, if advise a little caution, as it's of course a harrowing, and deeply upsetting story.

8/10.

A Difficult Watch

[carolynocean · 7/10 · 13 October 2022]

I felt very uncomfortable while watching this ,well aware of the backlash that channel 5 were getting .

It was so hard to look at them both , without having that sick feeling that you get when you are repulsed by someone .

Perhaps it will help to keep us all reminded of the fact that there are evil people in this world , disguised in everyday jobs , in our towns and communities , and how easy it can sometimes be for them to slip under the radar.

Not for one minute ,did I find this in any way an easy watch , as I imagine everybody else did not either .

Jemma Carlton played the role very well,, a brave undertaking considering that she was a newcomer .

I did not like a lot of the scenes involving the journalists , it made me feel angry that tragedies like this are handled so insensitively by the press. For them, it's all about selling newspapers .

But , that is the reality of it .

Whether , this drama should have been made or not , I really cannot say, but I would imagine that everbody who watched it felt anger towards those two, and upset , and brokenhearted for Holly and Jessica's families.

Well accomplished dramatization of an awful event.

[crumpytv · 7/10 · 23 October 2022]

Very difficult subject matter. It is hard to believe it is 20 years since this story dominated the news.

When the shock of the Huntley/Carr complicity finally came to light it was a shock to all those that had followed the story as the perpetrators were by now know to the public.

The thing about Huntley was he was believable and had an almost baby face of innocence.

This is where I feel the drama has got it wrong. The Huntley character is too hard looking with severe died black hair. In the drama he looked suspicious throughout which was not the case in real life.

However, the whole event has been dramatized well. Obviously the Huntley/Carr dialogue behind closed doors is a matter for conjecture, but they are word perfect in their public speaking.

Being Channel 5 I had expected it to miss the mark, but apart the casting of Huntley it was dramatized very well.

As contemporary dramas go we are force fed endless murder and serial killer stories, but the reality puts these into some sort of perspective.

Interesting drama

[PHILLK69 · 7/10 · 13 October 2022]

This is a well acted pacey drama based on one of the uk's most shocking crimes.

Since channel 5 cancelled neighbours theres a lot left in there budget to make dramas just like they promised.

Some people were offended because it's too soon to be made but these days there a crime drama based on a real life incident every week and some of these incidents happened within the last 20 years.

The actress playing Maxine was the best thing about it and she should go onto bigger and better things.

There was some scenes where the actors were stumbling over there lines so I was perplexed why the director left these in the final cut as it looked amateurish.

Lazy researching on smaller details take away from the big ones

[sofieljenkins · 6/10 · 16 October 2023]

For those of us who remember the story of Holly and Jessica, this story remains harrowing and uncomfortable. The script and acting reflects the drama (albeit too much in some areas) but I find it difficult to see the portrayal of the "human" side of the main subjects, particularly Huntley.

While it might seem nitpicky, I was distracted from the story by the lack of research into the era in which the story is set. For example, shop logos not reflecting how they would have looked in 2002, but rather how they are now. Or even the aerial view of Grimsby showing the locally notorious grey blocked paving which wasn't installed until 2014. It comes across as lazy research and is honestly a great reminder of how you can get everything you want out of this show from reading up on Wikipedia.

One of the better crime shows

[martinpersson97 · 9/10 · 6 May 2023]

There are lots of incredible TV shows in the crime genre, and this is without a doubt one of the stronger installments - showcasing a very horrofic and dark case that pulls no punches.

It is beautifully put together, in terms of both acting, cinematography, cutting and editing. Very splendidly done.

Even though it is probably a very rare and hopefully non-repeating incident, it is a very important event to highlight, and it does so gracefully and respectfully,

Overall, a great and very dark TV series that I would definitely recommend for any lover of film, as it is a great piece. Though it might be a little too much to stomach for some.

Brilliant

[tashaj-21614 · 8/10 · 27 October 2023]

I thought this was fantastic. Late to view via Netflix didn't realise had been out a while on terrestrial television. The actor's playing Huntley and Carr wre fantastic. Don't agree at all it was disrespectful,they are numerous true crime documentaries on this with talking heads,etc. DIdn't feel sorry for anyone other than the victim's and family. It wasn't in my opinion filmed towards portraying Maxine as a victim. We all have our own opinions on this. But as a drama reconstruction it was really good. I haven't watched anything with the lead character's in before but will now look out for them in the future.

A puff piece that doesn't really do justice to such a chilling story

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 4/10 · 17 October 2022]

STAR RATING: ***** Brilliant **** Very Good *** Okay ** Poor * Awful

In August 2002, in the Cambridgeshire town of Soham, ten year old best friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman went missing, leading to a nationwide manhunt to find them. Eventually, the inevitable, grim truth came to light, when their charred clothing was found, and soon after their bodies. In the immediate aftermath, attention fell on the school caretaker, Ian Huntley (Scott Reid) and his girlfriend Maxine Carr (Jemma Carlton), leading to local journalists Brian Farmer (Steve Edge) and Jane Kerrigan (Natalie Britton) to pursue their version of events, leading to Huntley's conviction for the girl's murders, and Carr's for providing him with a false alibi, before her release and new life under an assumed identity.

True life crime stories are inevitably a tricky subject to tackle, especially if they're still raw in the public's consciousness, and with the feelings of the victim's families to take in to consideration. And so, twenty years after the horrors of the Soham murders, director Laura Way and writer Simon Tyrell deliver this made for TV dramatisation of a figure who was the most hated woman in Britain for a while. Whether she was really a cunning manipulator, or an abused partner coerced in to doing something against her will, is subject to speculation, but like many things, is something this hollow production doesn't really have the meat and bones to tackle.

It's usually a particular type of girl who falls into a particular sort of relationship, with an abusive, controlling partner (often with a history they don't mention) and Carlton's portrayal of Carr certainly gives off this vibe, but nothing of substance about her background is offered to show what formed her to be this way. Indeed, although the title specifically frames it as a drama about her, she feels no more drawn out or explored than any of the other key characters. This lack of depth extends further afield to the wider story, with the parents of the murdered girls not even given a mention. In its place, we just get something that plays out pretty much like your average Channel 5 daytime TV drama, in look and feel. Part 2 and 3 are a little grittier and more effective than Part 1, but not enough to really lift it up any higher than it is.

Despite some strong, solid central and supporting performances, this is just a puff piece that fails to do justice to one of the most heinous crimes of recent times. **

Irish police officer ruins it

[Evieweevie · 8/10 · 15 October 2023]

It was a tough watch. But really well done. Only thing I would say ruined it was the Irish police woman/detective. Acting silly, joking about, saying hurtful comments during such a serious, sad situation. Not sure why they felt the need to add the annoying unnecessary bits in like that. Obviously it's very sad and. I do believe that someone would've been better cast as Ian Huntley as I feel he didn't fit the role. Maxine played the part well. I also find it shocking that Ian Huntley had previous complaints, claims and was still allowed to work with children. If checks were done, Holly Jessica would still be here.

Poor!

[keelyalice · 1/10 · 15 October 2023]

What was the point of this? Are they trying to make Maxine look a victim? Are they just using an awful murder to get views?

I've watched countless true crime shows and re-enactments, and they are usually always respectful and informative. This one I found not to be like that at all.

We learned nothing new, they attempted to make a victim of Maxine, and dare I say it Ian Huntley! They briefly skipped over the fact he was a sexual predator, and just made him to be a slightly controlling guy who was a bit odd.

They could have delved deeper into the the psyche of Maxine, and why she felt it was okay to lie about being with Huntley on the day the girls disappeared.

She was still in denial that she did anything wrong all through her court case.

The casting and acting was poor...then bloke who portrayed Huntley was okay, but with such a poor script it didn't show enough of his evil character.

Disgustingly insensitive

[dpwqy · 1/10 · 23 October 2023]

The fact that this was allowed to be made, and to make out that Maxine was a victim is in the most indecent taste. The producers, cast and all involved on this production were obviously more concerned with credits and money than the fact the families of these two little girls are still living daily with this trauma. Anyone involved in this should be ashamed of themselves. The dramatising of such tragic events is not for any other purpose than the producers, directors and cast see a story that can be sensationalised for monetary purposes. I wonder if Emma Foley and Tamryn Reinecke stopped for one minute abs though about the fact that the mothers of these murdered little girls can't even turn on Netflix to see that someone saw an opportunity to make money of Holly and Jessica's deaths. Vile.

Poor acting and bad attempt at difference in perspective

[shonamayevans-47766 · 4/10 · 19 October 2023]

Felt like I was watching a Shakespeare piece onstage. Very overdramatic acting, didn't feel natural for screen at all. Two main protagonists had no chemistry onscreen and felt totally miscast.

Didn't like the whole perspective of seeing things from Maxine's POV, the real victims in this story were Holly and Jessica. Their story felt pushed aside to tell Maxine's which feels completely insensitive.

Camera work and interview recreation was very good but a lot of details on this case were left out. We didn't need a series on Ian Huntley's fiancé, barely any attention to the crime committed. First episode felt so rushed, I don't think you'd enjoy this series if you weren't aware of the Holly and Jessica case to begin with.

Not great.

[brandsbypost · 2/10 · 14 October 2023]

A real story that has enough drama there was no need to fabricate incidents. This is how the millennial generation adapts a story for the 21st century. The writing is formulaic and the direction plodding and unimaginative.

Loses its credibility in the first few minutes with careless mistakes and implausible dialogue.

The actors do their best with the dross they are asked to work with but sadly they struggle.

The script is simplistic and literal. The press are used as a story telling device because the script writer has no faith in their audience to be able to follow the events and interpret the story. They feel the need to explain everything and leave nothing to the intelligence of the viewer. The weird number plates and fake TV channels do little to make this seem like a real story. Don't bother.

Terrible casting

[Pegasus7 · 2/10 · 14 October 2023]

Lead Scottish actor could not shake his Scottish accent which kept bleeding through. Very mis-cast.

This really put me off watching the rest of the mini series, the two main actors were just not believable in their roles.

I don't feel that the story gave any further insight into the mind and motives of Maxine Carr, and it didn't add anything to the case.

Ultimately it was not that great, but the mis-casting of (in particular) a Scottish actor who cannot "do" accents was really bad and it prevented me from enjoying this drama.

Would have been much better with a different lead actor (and actress).