biddles-48993 Reviews

Survivors (1975–1977)

Good idea but looks terribly dated ...

[4/10 · 4 March 2022]

Just watched the first few episodes of this series which probably looked fine when first released but modern production values make this look appallingly dated and stilted.

Interesting and topical idea but the execution is terrible, no doubt partly due to a minimalist budget.

In practice, the script and acting are pretty rubbish and the characters rather cardboard cut outs.

Its only saving grace is the realistic way it anticipates the reaction of people to such an apocalypse....

House of Gucci (2021)

Boring and overrated

[5/10 · 2 December 2021]

Deeply disappointed with this film. Stellar cast and one of my favourite directors but I was starting to shuffle in my seat with boredom after an hour.

I knew little about the Gucci story and there's clearly a fascinating film to be made there but this isn't it!

Thought the acting was pretty atrocious with a particular mention for Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci, who was quite dreadful in the role.

Accents were very hit and miss too.

Despite its length (too long by at least 30 minutes) it really didn't seem to know whether this was a movie about business or the founders.

Can't believe the Guccis were as crass and one-dimensional as portrayed and the underlying business and personal issues were dealt with in a very superficial manner which simply didn't ring true to me.

I was glad to leave.....!

Dalgliesh (2021– )

It's Dalgliesh, but not as P D James knew it!

[5/10 · 13 November 2021]

I'll admit to bring a huge fan of her novels and had enjoyed the two previous attempts at bringing her detective to life with both Roy Marsden and Martin Shaw but am disappointed so far with this effort from Channel 5.

I've only seen the first two episodes based on Shroud for a Nightingale but can see it's very much not as James wrote it.

Small things first. Dalgliesh was already a Chief Superintendent in this novel not a Chief Inspector. I can see no dramatic reason for changing this and would suggest it's down to laziness on the part of the scriptwriter?

Secondly, Dalgliesh rolls up to the nurses home in an e-type Jaguar. Without re-reading the book(s) I'm not sure that is likely to be correct but looks pretty out of character to me. His car is identified as a Jaguar in later books but I would suggest a Morse-type Jaguar rather than an e-type looks more his type of car.

More importantly, the overt antagonism towards Dalgliesh shown by Sergeant Masterson throughout the first two episodes, bordering on insubordination, is totally out of character and not reflected in the book. An (unnecessary) attempt to beef up their personalities?

Similarly, the seduction of one of the nurses by the Sergeant looks very much out of keeping with the book though I would need to re-read to be sure if it actually happened there. Certainly seems pretty unnecessary to the plot!?

Last but not least, Bertie Carvel's deadpan depiction of Dalgliesh as an emotionless character does not ring true to me. Dalgliesh was certainly portrayed as a self-contained person in the books but far from unfeeling or emotionless.

I will keep going over the next few episodes covering two more James novels but I doubt very much she would have been happy with the translation to the screen so far.

Murder at the Cottage: The Search for Justice for Sophie (2021)

Slow, meandering and pointless?!

[3/10 · 13 July 2021]

Have managed three and a half episodes before giving up and looking at other user reviews. Had hoped that the final episode would reveal the killer but clearly not the case despite the strap line for the series!

I find it bizarre that Sheridan didn't look at suspects other than Bailey or consider what his motive might have been anyway, surely a prime consideration in any murder case?

While the Garda may not have covered themselves with glory in their approach to the case, I would certainly question the conduct and testimony of Marie Farrell who appears to have been their primary "evidence", based on a very fleeting glimpse of a man in a dark coat near Sophie's home.

It was pitch black, she couldn't possibly have seen him for more than a few seconds as she was driving and certainly couldn't have seen enough to come even close to identifying anyone.

While I wouldn't rule out Bailey as the murderer, to base pretty much the whole case on this very flimsy evidence seems ridiculous.

Bailey and his partner come across as weird and Farrell doesn't inspire confidence either.

Irrespective of the truths behind the case, Sheridan sheds absolutely no light on it and the whole series seems totally irrelevant to me!

Don't waste your time.......!

Deadwater Fell (2020– )

Waste of a good cast!

[3/10 · 4 February 2020]

Have to agree with those reviewers in the disappointed category. Amazed this poorly constructed plot and screenplay made it to the screen at all.

The motivations for the (extreme) actions by key characters were largely unexplained or lacked credibility and the plot lacked any subtlety or depth.

Why on earth was it felt necessary to offer a helpline at the end of each episode!? Perhaps to assuage disappointed viewers?

The Trial of Christine Keeler (2019–2020)

Disappointing......

[6/10 · 16 January 2020]

Can just about remember the Profumo affair so was interested to see how it was treated.

Think the story is accurate as I remember it and showing it from Keeler's perspective gives some insights into its twists and turns.

On the downside, the constant flashbacks add little to the narrative other than confusion and James Norton is unbelievably wooden as Stephen Ward.

Just seen episode 5 and I would modify my view on James Norton's performance during the trial. Still think he was poor up to that point but redeems himself in this episode.

By contrast, Sophie Cookson is both totally believable and looks remarkably like the eponymous character.

His constant repetition of "little baby!" when speaking to Christine is grating and, probably, out of character even for early sixties vernacular.

Could have been much better....