While the Men Are Away (2023– ) User Reviews

Enjoyable, quirky series

[Spaceship55 · 6/10 · 24 October 2023]

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It's a fun series, a little boring at times but overall a unique perspective and quite different to other Aussie comedy/dramas. Worth a watch.

The costumes and sets were great, and the cinematography was the highlight.

The diversity was a great aspect to the show and I hope more Australian filmmakers take this onboard and follow suite.

At times the romantic elements felt a little too contrived, and wasn't handled with the nuance one would hope. The cast did a good job with some at times sketchy writing. Overall I think the show did a good job at bringing a quirky take to some serious themes.

Quite liked it

[theladyhawk · 7/10 · 7 October 2023]

I quite liked this. It's not really believable so as long as you suspend belief it's quite light and enjoyable. The modern day sensibilities juxtaposed against the WW2 backdrop is interested. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it's really jarring. I'm not sure the storyline really work in reality and there is very little character development

I quite liked this. It's not really believable so as long as you suspend belief it's quite light and enjoyable. The modern day sensibilities juxtaposed against the WW2 backdrop is interested. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it's really jarring. Xxxxxxxx.

A quirky little show. That could have been better.

[turkeytom33 · 6/10 · 6 November 2023]

If you are after a historical accurate portrait of the Women's Land Army in Australia during WW2, then this is not it. That story still needs to be told.

This is a story set during WW2 with today's sensibilities overlaid on it.

To the writers - if you are going to set the story in WW2 at least get some basic facts right. The Mayor gives a speech about the fall of Singapore and mentions kamikazes. At the time of the fall of Singapore there had been no kamikaze incidents, and the word would have been unknown in Australia.

The show is a comedy/drama combined with sexual awakening stories of the two young female characters.

Reasonably entertaining, good acting, some good scenes, but some clunkers as well.

Interesting they hired an Italian actor to play the farm owner. I suppose for the story authenticity's sake and/or boost the chances of sale of the series to Europe.

TV Review - While The Men are Away 9/10 (Where are my Gwen Stans at?)

[Esme-67004 · 9/10 · 11 October 2023]

Hoooooboyyy. As an Ellie & Abby super fan I've been counting down the days to this and it did not disappoint. I took one star off because I didn't get to see Gwen smooch anyone in the last episode but I appreciate that sometimes seeing a character become more themselves is just as hot (fine fine fine).

But enough about Gwen because this cast is fire. Franky, Cathleen, Robert & Esther.. They are all brilliant. I loved seeing an australian period drama that didn't focus on the well trodden path of the anzacs. And also clearly didn't worry about being factually accurate. It's just so fun and sexy and really moving. The cinematography is unlike any australian show I've seen and the episodes are packed! It doesn't feel like a 30 minute show . I won't say much more because the less you know the more it can surprise you.

Quirky, sweet, revealing drama

[kimmgould · 9/10 · 3 October 2023]

The characters and stories that don't make the cut for the ANZAC legend - the women who don't love their husbands, the lgbti+ community, Indigenous and neurodivergent people and so much more. All the stories that weren't told about the war are here.

Its not pergormative, just excellent quirky Australian drama with the bonus of some quality lesbian sex scenes.

And boringly, I need to add 200 more characters so I could mention that it was sweet, funny, sad. It started with a slightly cartoonish quality but as the characters are revealed it gets more real, poignant and the ludicrous overriding of diversity becomes more obvious.

Great Aussie series!

[tbutcher-40501 · 10/10 · 3 December 2023]

I binge watched this series in one go and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the way the characters developed over the 8 episodes, we're not talking huge changes but adequate enough to keep the viewer watching & creates a bridge for a 2nd season.

For anyone feeling it's a bit "modern" and "woke", the queer community has always been here and we've always gravitated towards each other, and we typically have other social outcasts as part of our circle, so it truly makes sense that there are a few queers living together and had a close connection with an Aboriginal woman and her family.

The serious and devastating stories of Australia in WW2 have been told very well many times over the years, this is more lighthearted and less fact focused. People get so caught up in whether or not a show is factual or realistic enough - sometimes it's just enough to watch & enjoy.