Let's get something straight; Dennis Potter is the greatest writer of television drama in the UK and his work will never be surpassed by anyone. Potter loved music and as with Pennies from Heaven and The Singing Detective, Lipstick on your collar is heavily marked by the imaginary use of songs of the era. This was the reason I was attracted to Potter in first place but his work is so much more. It explores identity in Britain (specifically in the 1950's) and how attitudes were changing from the old guard and the young peoples' desire to be free of the decorum and stuffiness of the British establishment who still thought they were still an important colonial power - hence his exploration of Suez.
It is more than a social history lesson, it follows the lives of 3 soldiers and the women they love but it shows their hidden sexual desires and their open ones. As usual the women in these situations wield positions of power over the weak men who dream of them in idyllic fashions and how they react and feel at home with "a bit of rough". It is a bizarre love triangle which grows to a pentagon and then some.
Some might classify it as sexist and objectification of women but that misses the point - so many men hold such views without being able to fulfill them and the frustration of the sexually inadequate or inexperienced is superbly contrasted with those who have "made it" on that front.
The music is wonderful, the acting is first class and the darker side of human nature is explored superbly.
Not all the women are shallow sex objects and Potter does emphasize the contrast between suitability of one boy for one girl and vice versa.
It is not his masterpiece but it is an enjoyable romp (if you pardon the pun).
A must have for any Potter fan.
It is more than a social history lesson, it follows the lives of 3 soldiers and the women they love but it shows their hidden sexual desires and their open ones. As usual the women in these situations wield positions of power over the weak men who dream of them in idyllic fashions and how they react and feel at home with "a bit of rough". It is a bizarre love triangle which grows to a pentagon and then some.
Some might classify it as sexist and objectification of women but that misses the point - so many men hold such views without being able to fulfill them and the frustration of the sexually inadequate or inexperienced is superbly contrasted with those who have "made it" on that front.
The music is wonderful, the acting is first class and the darker side of human nature is explored superbly.
Not all the women are shallow sex objects and Potter does emphasize the contrast between suitability of one boy for one girl and vice versa.
It is not his masterpiece but it is an enjoyable romp (if you pardon the pun).
A must have for any Potter fan.