paul2001sw-1 Review of Two Doors Down

Two Doors Down (2013 TV Movie)

Another entry in the fine tradition of BBC suburban parties

[8/10 · 4 January 2014]

A treat for anyone who enjoyed 'Abigail's Party', or the televised versions of Ayckbourn plays that the BBC used to screen at Christmas, 'Two Doors Down' tells the tale of an unfortunate Scottish new year's eve. Although the set-up is pure sitcom, and some of the lines might seem clichéd, there's also a sense in which this feels very much true to life; and there's a dark undertow to the humour. People find it hard to get along with those they love, sometimes, let alone with those with whom one just happens to share a relative or an address, and the script feeds off this with aplomb: the performances steer a nice line too, not completely over-the-top but exuberant where necessary. In my book, it deserves a repeat next year.