What is A+E ? - Accident & Emergency? Surgery it certainly seems to have been in the alternative version, which has been highlighted by several commentators.
However, in its present format, this film is quite perfect and works at every level- screenplay; photography; editing; dialogue; direction. Background music I can take or leave; mostly leave. It is often so loud that it drowns critical dialogue & often shows a complete lack of understanding of dramatic persuasion.
Lorimer Black is not really a nice person. He is devious & untruthful, constantly being caught out in his silly lies & evasions. Yet, he is oddly likable; his vulnerability & desire to re-invent himself is a character trait one constantly meets. This complex man is brilliantly portrayed by James Frayn. He would like to be Milomar Bloj, but London society is not a welcoming place for Transvestrian gypsies. So he tells porkies. "Weren't you at school with Hughie Aberdeen?" asks Torquil Helvoir-Jayne. Frayn's face is a masterpiece of evasion and Helvoir-Jayne is such a complete thicko that he will never spot it..
In fact, all the characters in Armadillo have huge character flaws.
William Boyd is one of the best writers, in the English language, about today. Wisely, the BBC allowed him write the screenplay, which is masterly; tense with moments of great humour, mostly delivered by Stephen Rea - outstanding as Hogg - and Hugh Bonneville - a miracle of comic timing as the rude, bumbling Torquil. Catherine McCormick does not have a lot to do, but her defensive vulnerability is beautifully portrayed.
This is very much an ensemble piece; brilliantly realised and the London setting shows two sides of a city that has got too big, with wonderful camera angles and believable scenes.
I have just watched it for the third time and it gets better with each viewing; revealing aspects missed earlier.
There was an earlier mention of "A Very British Coup" - possibly the best political drama ever produced, with a knock-out performance by the late, great, Ray McAnally.
That - and this production - should give hope for the future of TV; hope that it is possible to bring great material to the screen.
And William Boyd has written some amazing stories - all ripe for the screen.
Another writer, not too dissimilar to Mr. Boyd, is Andrew Greig, who writes wonderfully vivid characters and magical stories.
Try "In Another Light".
However, in its present format, this film is quite perfect and works at every level- screenplay; photography; editing; dialogue; direction. Background music I can take or leave; mostly leave. It is often so loud that it drowns critical dialogue & often shows a complete lack of understanding of dramatic persuasion.
Lorimer Black is not really a nice person. He is devious & untruthful, constantly being caught out in his silly lies & evasions. Yet, he is oddly likable; his vulnerability & desire to re-invent himself is a character trait one constantly meets. This complex man is brilliantly portrayed by James Frayn. He would like to be Milomar Bloj, but London society is not a welcoming place for Transvestrian gypsies. So he tells porkies. "Weren't you at school with Hughie Aberdeen?" asks Torquil Helvoir-Jayne. Frayn's face is a masterpiece of evasion and Helvoir-Jayne is such a complete thicko that he will never spot it..
In fact, all the characters in Armadillo have huge character flaws.
William Boyd is one of the best writers, in the English language, about today. Wisely, the BBC allowed him write the screenplay, which is masterly; tense with moments of great humour, mostly delivered by Stephen Rea - outstanding as Hogg - and Hugh Bonneville - a miracle of comic timing as the rude, bumbling Torquil. Catherine McCormick does not have a lot to do, but her defensive vulnerability is beautifully portrayed.
This is very much an ensemble piece; brilliantly realised and the London setting shows two sides of a city that has got too big, with wonderful camera angles and believable scenes.
I have just watched it for the third time and it gets better with each viewing; revealing aspects missed earlier.
There was an earlier mention of "A Very British Coup" - possibly the best political drama ever produced, with a knock-out performance by the late, great, Ray McAnally.
That - and this production - should give hope for the future of TV; hope that it is possible to bring great material to the screen.
And William Boyd has written some amazing stories - all ripe for the screen.
Another writer, not too dissimilar to Mr. Boyd, is Andrew Greig, who writes wonderfully vivid characters and magical stories.
Try "In Another Light".