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iambillrichards
Reviews
Wolf (2023)
Weird for the sake of it
It started weird but then it got weirder. Then as the story progressed it got bizarre. So many silly and pointless story lines and twists. No one especially the police actually rationally or responsibly. As believable as a mermaid riding a unicorn. The scene with the 'river people' is gob-smackingly ridiculous. You'll be surprised to know our household watched it right to the end to see just how ridiculous it could get. We weren't disappointed. Was the writer/director trying to be Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino at the same time? Failed. Not even they could be this weird and be successful. Some well know actors in the cast, probably in hiding now.
The Catch (2023)
Some good actors wasted.
Who said give it time? Watched this from beginning to end. The first episode was like wading through porridge while they tried to make it dramatic. I gave it time. I watched it to the end. It just got worse and now I'm struggling to find the words to describe why I persevered. I don't know whether it was the bad writing or the terrible directing. It just wasn't credible and none of the characters had any depth and for that matter nor did the story. The whole plot motive lacked any drama, the great crime they committed was the murder equivalent of not putting enough postage on your Christmas cards. The plot line with the police could have been better managed by Postman Pat. I'm not finished. It felt like it was produced on the cheap, all the characters were no more than a couple of hundred yards from each other at any time.
Not every drama can be Happy Valley but they sure as hell can be better than this.
Mayflies (2022)
Only a stone heart will not be moved
Outstandingly written, directed and acted, especially Tony Curran and Ashley Jensen. As you can tell from virtually all the reviews here be prepared to be heartbroken but also it can be funny in places. It's amazing how we learn so much about all the characters both major and minor in such a short space of time a real tribute to the writing. Nothing is wasted and nothing needs to be told twice, a masterclass in story telling. Sometimes these mini series have padding or spin out the story, not only is it not needed here but not sure I could have lasted the emotion for any longer. Genuinely one of the best if sad pieces of television for years.
Finding Alice (2021)
With that cast it should be so much better
I don't really want to slate this because it has such a strong cast but I can't help it.
Some of the key story lines are just utter nonsense e.g. you can't sell a property before probate, the whole interaction with the morgue, selling the kitchen, the bereavement support group. Without these lines having a modicum of credence the whole story falls apart.
Then it can't make its mind what it is. Some people think it's a dark comedy or a comedy drama. It's billed as a contemporary drama. In reality it's none of the above. It can't make up its mind what it is. At times it tried to be a drama about death then one of the characters delivers a bad comedic line. Characters are jolly when they should be sad, they are rude when they should be sympathetic. If just does not work.
Then there's the music. It also can't make up its mind to be mournful or jolly, and at the most inappropriate times. Did the music department actually watch it, were they told it was a drama?
The dialogue sounds like it was written by a twelve year old. Or for a twelve year old audience. None of characters have any empathy. They've even made Joanna Lumley look frumpy. Why mis-cast her?
And we watched it to the end. Just to give it a chance. Can't say we didn't try.
Sorry.