I'm a great fan of Poliakoff's work. I had also been looking forward enormously to seeing this film - I am a great admirer of Peggy Ashcroft's work etc. etc.
Well it didn't really work for me. I know that it is loosely based on Poliakoff's own experience and I know that he thrives on unexpected behaviours - nevertheless Peter's behaviours given that he really didn't like the Alte Frau are so implausible as to be irritating.
Some scenes work - the scene when the American girl confesses that she hates Europe and all Europeans is terrific drama. The final scene between Michael Kitchen and Peggy Ashcroft is first rate.
This piece is a little like the UK rail system - the waits are too long and the journeys should be faster, but where it works it works great.
Well it didn't really work for me. I know that it is loosely based on Poliakoff's own experience and I know that he thrives on unexpected behaviours - nevertheless Peter's behaviours given that he really didn't like the Alte Frau are so implausible as to be irritating.
Some scenes work - the scene when the American girl confesses that she hates Europe and all Europeans is terrific drama. The final scene between Michael Kitchen and Peggy Ashcroft is first rate.
This piece is a little like the UK rail system - the waits are too long and the journeys should be faster, but where it works it works great.