Old School (2014) User Reviews

Well developed

[stormwithinmybrain · 9/10 · 29 May 2014]

this series is an adaptation of a short film by Paul Oliver called Lennie Cahill Shoots through, with the character of Lennie being played by Tony Barry. it has been a smooth transition to Brian Brown playing the Role of Lennie in the TV adaptation there is a lot of potential for this show, Paul has built a good foundation for each character to develop and with Brian and Sam working off each other though cliché in the odd couple I have great hopes to see this show do well and no sink into obscurity like a lot of other Australian shows

here's hoping that the budget cuts tot he ABC do not affect the production of drama shows like this one here in Australia

Best Aussie show for years

[tango8423 · 8/10 · 12 July 2014]

It has been a long time since I have actually enjoyed an Australian TV series, or movie for that matter. I watched the first episode expecting not much, but I liked it a lot and got hooked. Good buildup, good action and a few laughs. Sam Neill (ex cop) and Bryan Brown (ex criminal?) are a great 'odd couple' both trying to track down money from a bank robbery some 12 years earlier. The writers have done a pretty good job, developing each character with good guys, bad guys, some you're not too sure about and a few twists for good measure. Sure, it's slightly over the top but not overdone as to insult the viewer. Considering it is an ABC show, it's not cheaply made. It has good editing, nicely shot in and around Sydney and the action is well done. Hopefully another series is made. The show made me feel happy, so job done!

Getting Better with Each Episode

[Perrorist · 8/10 · 23 June 2014]

After watching the first two episodes I thought this might be just another tryhard that I'd soon give up on, but then the episodes began to get stronger, perhaps because of a throughline developing, and now I feel it has grown legs.

The interplay between the two main characters is working and the performances of the two young supporting actors, Hannah Mangan Lawrence and Mark Coles Smith, are convincing.

Well worth watching for a light-hearted drama piece from the same mould as New Tricks.

ABC drama has been getting much better in recent years. Let's hope the current government's austerity measures don't affect this side of the ABC's business.

Off to a great start

[jamesmoule · 10/10 · 23 May 2014]

Any TV show that can boast two of the Antipodes' greatest actors has to be taken seriously. Both Brian Brown and Sam Neill have had long careers with credits to die for. This cops-and-robbers drama has the same formula as the English series "New Tricks" in that retired persons are involved in solving crimes that currently serving officers have failed to solve. The twist in "Old School" is that one of the duo is a "crim". The plot has many layers, promising to take many turns before a resolution is forthcoming. The supporting cast is strong, with the exception of Hannah Mangan Lawrence whose acting standard could only just be tolerated in "Bed of Roses" but, at 22, is really performing like someone who has been seconded from the local high school play. The writing is particularly strong in the first episode but it remains to be seen if that standard can be maintained, a failing in a number of Australian series in recent years. Judging by the scores given on this site so far, it seems that I am not the only one to regard this series as a winner.

Give Aussie films a go!

[exeltekjen · 8/10 · 16 August 2019]

Ok so the acting is not up there with the Americans. But it has a mixture of two hands, animal kingdom, Ray Donovan and the oceans movies. Quite funny as well.

It's a movie about swings and roundabouts and how the universe synchronises.

I loved the ending. Lennie could cash in and be good for money but a bad conscience. Or go straight cut his losses but have a good conscience.

Very disappointing

[uglypatriot · 2/10 · 11 July 2014]

Firstly, let me start by saying I am huge fans of both Bryan Brown and Sam Neil. I was also very excited about an Aussie TV series staring a couple of our best (yes, Sam Neil is considered Aussie) actors filmed in my home town of Sydney and about time to, however I have found this series to be lacking on all fronts! Whoever takes responsibility for writing the script for this series should be flogged then tarred and feathered! I will never understand how both Bryan and Sam agreed to follow this pathetic script writing, they deserve better than this! What a shame!! I believe this series had great potential, particularly considering the fantastic Aussie cast accompanying both stars.

Not clever. Unfunny writing. Tried to be Odd Couple, failed.

[GoodErsatz · 3/10 · 30 August 2022]

Not clever. Unfunny writing. Tried to be Odd Couple, failed. Not clever. Unfunny writing. Tried to be Odd Couple, failed.

You know when you have a mate that thinks they're funny, but they're not at all? I feel like the writers of this show fall into that category. Good acting from Sam Neill but I can tell he was wincing when he had to do these "haha funny fart jokes" and all the rest of this tripe.

You know when you have a mate that thinks they're funny, but they're not at all? I feel like the writers of this show fall into that category. Good acting from Sam Neill but I can tell he was wincing when he had to do these "haha funny fart jokes" and all the rest of this tripe.