Here was an opportunity to create an outstanding world class television series comparable to Angels In America and The Normal Heart.
The story is so exulting and unique to Australia, and it's a story the world should know but unfortunately the production is cheap, the development is clearly rushed and you really don't feel for any of the characters.
To call it a Musical is an enormous stretch. Yes, the Greek chorus is a fine idea for a stage production but here it plays out as a group of unconnected voices who... well, they sing.... a bit. I mean, one minute the song is soundtrack and the next minute these people appear singing the last few lines of the song. At first I thought they were lip synching which they might have well have been because it doesn't add to the drama, it merely distracts. Because they are not characters in the show it is hard to feel anything for them.
Tim Draxl as David Westfield steals the screen. You'll get through the series purely for him. Sadly, we don't feel anything when he loses his ex-lover Oscar Leal as Gabe. The writing does not create the kind of intimacy needed for the audience to care.
Characters often repeat themselves, slowing down the pace.
What's most disappointing is the budget. Sure, the LGBTQI+ community are undoubtedly grateful that this series has been made but the scenes with queer activists confronting the police are woefully cheap. Ambitious student films have done it better.
The great shame is that this was an opportunity to show the rest of the world what Australia was made of back in the 80's. Our response to the AIDS crisis was truly unique and life saving but this show is messy, underwhelming and it lacks the necessary production values needed to garner an international audience.
*Also the IMDB credit states that it was shot in Sydney but a lot of the media about the show will tell you otherwise.
The story is so exulting and unique to Australia, and it's a story the world should know but unfortunately the production is cheap, the development is clearly rushed and you really don't feel for any of the characters.
To call it a Musical is an enormous stretch. Yes, the Greek chorus is a fine idea for a stage production but here it plays out as a group of unconnected voices who... well, they sing.... a bit. I mean, one minute the song is soundtrack and the next minute these people appear singing the last few lines of the song. At first I thought they were lip synching which they might have well have been because it doesn't add to the drama, it merely distracts. Because they are not characters in the show it is hard to feel anything for them.
Tim Draxl as David Westfield steals the screen. You'll get through the series purely for him. Sadly, we don't feel anything when he loses his ex-lover Oscar Leal as Gabe. The writing does not create the kind of intimacy needed for the audience to care.
Characters often repeat themselves, slowing down the pace.
What's most disappointing is the budget. Sure, the LGBTQI+ community are undoubtedly grateful that this series has been made but the scenes with queer activists confronting the police are woefully cheap. Ambitious student films have done it better.
The great shame is that this was an opportunity to show the rest of the world what Australia was made of back in the 80's. Our response to the AIDS crisis was truly unique and life saving but this show is messy, underwhelming and it lacks the necessary production values needed to garner an international audience.
*Also the IMDB credit states that it was shot in Sydney but a lot of the media about the show will tell you otherwise.