IMDb > "River City" (2002) > IMDb user comments

IMDb user comments for
"River City" (2002) More at IMDbPro »

Filter: Hide Spoilers:
Index 8 comments in total 

8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
It's come a long way, 7 February 2003
Author: Alain English from London, England

Premiering 24 September 2002, River City is the first British soap based in Scotland for quite a while. The show is set around Montego Street, in the fictitious Glasgow district of Sheildinch. Within this, there are a flux of principal characters, many of whom operate shops or businesses within Montego Street and the action focuses on them, their families and associates.

The opening episode showed promise, with the wedding of Tommy Donachie (Eric Barlow) to Eileen (Deirdre Davis), with Eileen's bitter ex-husband, Raymond (Paul Samson), looking on, vowing vengeance showed potential. Sadly, it was let down by some slightly poor scripting. Two and half years later "River City" his hit it's stride and in Scotland it's now more popular than the similar, London-based "Eastenders".

The recent revamp of the theme tune has helped. It now has a hard Celtic beat to it that resonates with many of the urban Scottish themes now explored within the show.

There have been some terrific entertaining story lines particularly over the last year or so, with drug addiction, obsession, rape and child abuse giving episodes an often powerful dramatic weight. With the double act of brassy Roisin (Joyce Falconer) and hapless Raymond (Paul Samson), there's been a fair share of comedy as well.

Tam Dean Burn is excellent as the creepy homosexual Godfather of Shieldinch. He has recently left the show for a bit, but here's hoping we haven't seen the last of him. Sally Howitt is on fine form as the steely, sexy Scarlett and Gray O'Brien isn't too bad as gambling, womanizing Billy Davies.

It was a mistake to get rid of Lewis Cope (Duncan Duff) just when he was getting interesting, but his recent return was a masterstroke and he's now back to his scheming, villainous best. Also of note are Carmen Pieraccini as the sassy Kelly-Marie, Jade Lezar as Roisin's wayward daughter Alanna, Gilly Gilchrist's womanizing lawyer Archie Buchanan and Carter Ferguson as charming bobby-on-the-beat Harry Black. In addition former "Deacon Blue" singer Lorraine MacIntosh is also very good as recovering alcoholic Alice.

"River City" has come a very long way since it's 2002 premiere, and things can only improve from here.

Was the above comment useful to you?

7 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Don't take it too seriously!, 21 January 2004
Author: Suxidoll from Fife, Scotland

River City was launched to a shaky start, but in recent months has become compelling viewing. A charicature of life in the west of Scotland, it is funny, diverse and somewhat addictive. This programme is not without its critics, but the viewing figures have been steadily increasing; this programme has become a surprise success for BBC Scotland.

Ideally, River City should be watched with an open mind and a sense of humour. It's great. Enjoy!

Was the above comment useful to you?

5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
I love it!, 19 July 2004
Author: pcmmid (pcmmid@btinternet.com) from Aberdeen, Scotland

As someone born in Aberdeen, Scotland, raised in The Republic of Ireland from the age of 4 & then England, & now back in Aberdeen & married to a local, I think River City is superb. The one liners - "Do you think my heid buttons up the back?" & "Did you get a lumber, Mister Henderson?" tickle my funny bone to this day. It's no better, & no worse, than many of the longer established soaps on TV. I have had some wonderful times in Glasgow in recent years - I just wish River City was filmed in the city's streets, rather than on a set, so that one could visit the location. My experience of Glasgow's citizens has always been positive, & it is a beautiful city, so I hope that this programme will encourage people to visit & immerse themselves in the culture of this "dear, green place".

Was the above comment useful to you?

4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Not spectacular but definitely worth a watch!!, 28 August 2006
10/10
Author: am_yer_maw from United Kingdom

Okay so it's hardly Dallas but don't dismiss it because it's Scottish and you've 'heard' its mince. It's actually a very good watch, with story lines just as credible as other soaps shown through the Uk. With story lines such as explosions, drug addictions, the comeuppance of a notorious gangster involving a stabbing, hostage situation and a confrontation at the docks - to name but a few (see link below for screen caps) http://www.bbc.co.uk/Scotland/TV/rivercity/gallery/docks/index.shtml You feel for the characters as much as you would in any other soap, its not only dramatic it's funny some of the one liners are fantastic and have you in stitches.

A weak starter but has really come into it's own over the last few years receiving all most as many ratings as the national soaps on occasion.

Don't listen to people who say it's rubbish and don't just take my word for it, watch it - see for yourself - you won't regret it.

Was the above comment useful to you?

4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
It has got far better!, 12 January 2005
Author: puggso_32 from Greenock

A lot was said about this soap when it first hit our screens. It wasn't realistic, the plots where very poor and the acting was woeful. And they where absolutely right.

But something like this would always have taken time and with the amount of money that was spent to create it, it wasn't going to be dropped quickly.

As time progressed the story's have became better, deeper and more life like (well as life like as a soup can allow) and any weak links in the acting where slowly replaced by new faces, and older faces already well known for their acting.

I can see it becoming stronger and stronger and with things such as Eastenders (which has be slammed in the press for stealing some of River City's original ideas) becoming basically silly it will be interesting to see if it could go national.

Was the above comment useful to you?

4 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
First Realistically portrayed Scottish Soap, 9 May 2006
9/10
Author: jenniferfinlay from Dunblane, Perthshire

As a Scottish person ,I have to agree that River City has improved so much since it began.It shows us as the normal living people of Scotland,unlike a previous Scottish soap,who showed us all as haggis loving,kilt wearing highland dwellers.That is a total myth. The current story lines are brilliant,but why no mention of the gorgeous sexy lawyer Gerry McGrade in the cast list.He is very much a central character.John Paul McGilvray plays him well. The acting is good,but sometimes the Scottish dialogue can be a little rough and ready(lots of Glaswegians speak with a clear accent) I hope river city doesn't get cancelled,as it is gritty and gripping.

Was the above comment useful to you?

9 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-
Only a matter of time before the axe comes down on this and really no wonder, 6 January 2004
Author: harryachapman from Scotland

All I can say is that this sinks god-awful TV to an all new low. It is almost like a Glasgow version of Eastenders only 10 times worse. Nothing but unnecessary shouting, extremely wooden acting and storylines so lame that it makes 'Take The High Road' (which was also rubbish) look like a masterpiece. It should really only be a matter of time before BBC Scotland wields the axe on this one. Atrocious

Was the above comment useful to you?

4 out of 28 people found the following comment useful :-
What a dreadful programme., 28 April 2004
Author: harrychapman from UK

'River City' is by far and away the worst soap opera in the world. Obviously I can't stand soaps most of the time but this actually makes others look like dramatic masterpieces. It is like 'EastEnders' in Glasgow except only far worse. I mention in other posts how 'EastEnders' provides nothing but reason to be gloomy but this makes that seem like happiness and joy. Any time it's on either you hear somebody yelling in their loud Glaswegian voice or somebody's in tears or for some reason or another. Why people want to sit and watch such things is really beyond me. Not to mention some dreadful acting as well. 'EastEnders' and 'Corrie' may be awful but they're nothing compared to 'River City' an absolute travesty.

Was the above comment useful to you?

Add another comment

Related Links

Ratings Awards Official site
Main details Your user comments Your vote history