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underthebridge-23360
Reviews
For Her Sins (2023)
Easy viewing
I stumbled upon this during a binge of channel 5 dramas and found it an easy, although sometimes frustrating watch. Jo Joyner is a great leading lady and her biggest quality is her likeability, she's like very one's mum/sister/friend. Where this falls a little short is how gullible she is for a lawyer, maybe that was the wrong career choice for the character. A few quibbles aside it's an easy watch with just enough surprises to keep you watching but it sits somewhere in the middle in terms of Channel 5 drama output. Curious about where it was filmed, not the UK I don't think? Again just a quibble.
Heat (2023)
Supporting cast shine
I came to this show for the Danny Dyer factor so let's get this out of the way first - he's basically playing himself. This would be disappointing except you soon realise the show is as much if not more about the other characters as him. I wasn't expecting the direction to go the way it did which is controversial to say the least. I personally think the other cast are the ones who truly shone. One of the parents turns out to be despicable and the actor involved does a particularly good job. It's not so much about the literal fire as all the emotional entanglements. Very bittersweet ending left open for a sequel perhaps.
Friends (1994)
Thanks for the laughs
I feel compelled to write this after the tragic passing of Matthew Perry and rewatching this fine series which sits as a full DVD collection on my shelf. I hadn't watched for a while and wondered if I would find it dated given all the commentary about the show being out of date and offensive at times. I don't find it any of these things. It's just as funny all these years later and I'm reminded of just how clever and well written the characters are. Bravo to all involved and thanks for the laughs especially on days when life felt just a tad difficult to get through. Sunshine on a rainy day indeed.
The Inheritance (2023)
Enjoyable but weak ending
I'm a fan of 4 part dramas, enjoy them more than the longer running ones which really should be compacted into less episodes. So with that in mind The Inheritance definitely scores in my estimation as the storyline didn't drag. With all murder mysteries everyone is given a motive and one by one the most obvious suspects are eliminated. That's where it comes a little undone as the final reveal seemed a bit weak in the motivation department. On the plus side full praise must go to James Collier. He's terrific in this and very strong leading man material so I hope he gets more roles as a result. I'd love to see him carry an entire series on his own.
Riptide (2022)
Slow burn drama drown under
I enjoy short run series and this is a good example of one done well. It's about a woman (Jo Joyner) whose husband goes missing at sea. It starts out as a whodunnit but then the killer gets revealed at the end of the second episode, at which point it becomes a story about the wife being targeted. There aren't too many characters which makes it easy to follow. Stand out performances from Jo and the girl who plays the daughter. For anyone who has watched other Aussie shows it's a bit of a 'who's who' as familiar actors pop up. In most cases it's a case of the face ringing a bell but it's hard to remember where from!
A Very British Scandal (2021)
Enjoyable watch
I never knew anything about the real life story behind this and only started researching after I watched it. A scandal indeed! Claire Foy is magnificent and if you've seen The Crown, it's almost like she's swapped parts with her sister Princess Margaret! Really good attention to detail and they did a great job of capturing the high society world on England during the 50s and 60s. You also can't help thinking of the changes to society since then and how it would be handled today, specifically society's treatment of women and sex. Sad ending for the real life woman involved and leaves you thinking about it afterward,
All Creatures Great & Small (2020)
Gentle drama
This is a very sweet and gentle series which I have discovered from my grandparents. Yes you read that correct! I wouldn't normally watch something like this but I will be honest and admit that its charm has won me over. It's like steeping into a bygone world and I don't just mean it's set in the past, I also say the because the production and writing style feels like a throwback to styles of the past. I commend the makers on all the efforts to recreate rural Britain of the period. I dare say the real areas have not changed that much but attention to detail is appreciated. Uncomplicated slice of past life.