Glorious off-piste dark adaptation. I love most Christie adaptations but Phelps invokes sinister, 30s keep-Britain-whiteism and faded glamour. An underlying distaste of 'foreigners' r7nd theiigh it with nationalist posters. Great cast and use of colour. Well.shot. Cinematic feel. Malkovich plays a mortal doubting his powers. He is vain and undermined, scoffed at by Englands 'finest'. Grint a fair foil even if his I know best isnt initially grating Terrific work but maybe not for those that like their Poirot with traditional hedgerows, sunshine and tea cups. Modern and rather good, with a solid supporting cast.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Grace
(2021– )
Superior Police Procedural
28 March 2023
I live in Brighton. Disclosure. Many critics don't like that the series shows Brighton as more than the sunny day trip, art house scene and stag do glamour, but I love it's portrayal of a city that has a seedy underbelly. Graham Greene said it looked like a town that was helping the police with its enquiries. And John Simm and Richie Campbell are here to take notes. Both are very engaging, and the narrative is more thoughtful than many of its rivals. Their dynamic is great, and the support cast robust. There is a glory hunting fast track superior for panto villain status, and a commendable balance of reality and sentiment. Simm is very likeable and thorough as the cop with a conscience. Well paced and consistent. An enjoyable two hours tv.
A Town Called Malice
(2023)
Cartoon Gangster Fun
27 March 2023
No review of this is going to change anyone's opinion. It will have heads nodding 'they get it'...or fist-waving impotent rage at the racy and racist language, the dismissal of diversity, and its retro sheen on violence. As a Capital dweller in the 80's I'm familiar with the tropes, the tracksuited wannabees, gangsterism, hooligan violence. Nothing is rose tinted in this; maybe claret tinted. The Lords go to Alabasas. Plimpton and Fleming crank up larger than life to 12. The family, themselves, and their misdeeds are not meant to be realistic or aspirational. The soundtrack wanders into the 70s to shoehorn Boney M in...fair enough, pedantry is for people with too much time on their hands. I could actually use more lip synching. I dont expect linear narratives, though the character arcs could be crisper. But what I did like...and an 8 maybe over reflects it...is the sheer screw-you chutzpah, the love of glossy 80s genres and music, its t0ngue forced though its cheek and the traditional good vs evil...all thrown in a soiled pan and boiled not simmered. Cartoon violence and a welding of genres. I think a second series might be even better. Don't expect lessons. Not all TV informs. Some entertains.
The Diplomat
(I) (2023)
A delight
22 March 2023
Big surprise. I Hope it's renewed for another series. Funny, smart. Contemporary. Good acting but even better dynamics and one-liners that skewer modern manners and obsessions. Sophie Rundle is great but whole roster work well together, particularly amongst the embassy staff Good observations about modern workplace hierarchies too. I like the concept of an overarching narrative with smaller embassy work dovetailed in between. And I'm happy for Spanish dialogue to be kept in rather than anglicise it or use accented speaking. Thanks. I didnt expect a huge amount but this cleared the bar easily !
Tell Your Friends