The Long Call (2021) User Reviews

Decent enough ITV crime drama

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 31 October 2021]

This ITV crime drama, based on a story from Ann Cleeves, of Shetland and Vera fame, is centred on DI Matthew Venn. He has recently returned to his home town in North Devon following the death of his father. He had previously been made unwelcome by his family because their strict religion couldn't accommodate the fact that he was gay. The first case of the series involves the discovery of a body on the beach; it soon emerges that some years previously he had killed a young girl while drunk driving and had, on one occasion, attended the church the Venn family attend. Later a girl disappears; she also attends the church and is linked to the murdered man.

Having enjoyed Shetland and Vera I was keen to watch this too; it is too early to say how it will ultimately compare but I do feel this got off to a bit off a slow start... perhaps because it is one case over four episodes rather than single episode stories. This meant much time was spent introducing key characters rather than the case. The case itself was intriguing enough; various suspects and motives were hinted at early on and as one would expect there is lots of lovely Devonian scenery. The cast, which includes many familiar faces, does a solid enough job even if the accents are a bit wobbly. Overall a fairly typical ITV crime drama; not a must see but a decent enough if you are a fan of the genre. If there are further stories I'd tune in.

Stick with it, the ending is rewarding.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 3 November 2021]

In North Devon, a body washes up on a beach, on trj case is DI Matthew Venn, who's battling demons past and present.

This is very much a drama of two halves, my advice would be, stick with it. I wasn't exactly in raptures over episodes one and two, but it does improve, it builds well to an exciting snd dramatic finale.

It's not the typical crime drama you expect nowadays, no conspiracies, car chases or guns, it's all very measured, some may fairly argue slow, but the drama comes from control and fear.

It should have been 3 episodes at most, in parts it is dull, plain and simple dull. However it's almost worth sticking with just for the ending.

The locations are beautiful, that was never going to fail, some of the views are incredible.

The best element for me is the acting. Ben Aldridge is good, he's well cast, and certainly very handsome. Martin Shaw, Juliet Stevenson and Neil Morrissey at all very good, for me it's Anita Dobson who steals the show, I always knew she was good, I wasn't aware that she was tbis good.

Stick at it, 7/10.

I Wanted to like it

[dklecan · 6/10 · 5 November 2021]

I was so excited to hear that this show was based on novel by Ann Cleeve, the author of Vera and Shetland, two of my top10 British detective stories! The second a Vera episode is released, I watch it and about a week later I watched it again. So i was looking forward to this show.

Two main components of a good detective story is that, first, the protagonist is quirky, or tormented, or an alcoholic, crazy, goofy, and/or fish a out of water and second, they are extremely passionate about being a detective, by finding the killer, and justice for the victims. Everything else in their lives is secondary. (Ex Grantchester, Vera, Murder in paradise, Sherlock Holmes, Shetland, etc.).

You won't find either of these components at work here. Half of the 20th century protagonist are gay so that's not "quirky" anymore. And although this actor is eye candy, he looks super bored with his work. In one scene, he looks at the murder board and scratches his chin and ........that's it. That would never fly in a Vera episode. My favorite Vera scenes are when she looks at the murder board, turns around and yells at everybody to get to work and find the answer.

The cult angle was interesting, but many mystery murders find that the murder is related to their past and this makes them even more crazy about finding the answer, but once again I just didn't feel passion with this actor.....and if the protagonist is not passionate about what he does, how can u expect us, the viewer, to be.

If u have nothing is to watch, catch this, the scenery is OK. It seemed like everyone lived in a house with huge windows overlooking the sea??...but you would be better served watching another Vera episode.

Solid story hampered by dull pacing, boring music and tedious Ben Aldridge

[msghall · 6/10 · 28 October 2021]

I really, really tried to like this more but the boredom of the direction and script defeated me. The stationary camera fails to keep our eyes interested, despite some of the gorgeous scenery. Then there's a stony Ben Aldridge who fails to capture our empathy.

The makers of the show must've known there were problems: the music is far too intrusive and just as tedious as the dreary dialog. Music this gratuitous is usually used to compensate for an unremarkable script or tepid direction, both of which this series possesses.

There are moments of real plot movement here but they are far too rare. You become involved, then are brought back down by some dull religious or backstory dialog that prompts you to fast forward through the dreary talk.

More a 6 but extra point just for Anita Dobson

[woodvillelite-1 · 7/10 · 10 December 2021]

Having just binged on Shetland (all in 2 weeks), Broadchurch and Hinterland plus a few others ..... this one is again very similar to those just mentioned. Lead man in charge is slightly damaged due to life in general and all with a strong woman being his second. Above titles in order of best first etc.

This series doesn't pick up any speed and just makes it way through the 4 episodes slowly and methodically. Really not much real action .... what you should pay attention to is the writing and the acting. I would unfortunately be placing this show at the end of above list. Watch the others first if you have a chance ... but the scenery is as usual ... awesome.

Casting is very well done, love Juliet Stevenson but major kudos to Anita Dobson .... wow does she shine in the drab and harried portrayal of Grace. Also one character that kept drawing my attention and not sure why. I then checked her name .... Aiofe Hinds .... ahhh Ciaran Hinds daughter another up and coming actor in family.

Dreadful

[IntermusicM · 30 October 2021]

By episode 3 I'd forgotten what the story was all about. The characters are like cardboard. Flat and totally without character. The speech is muffled and toneless. The plot is....don't really know, my brain was too bored to take it in.

What a complete waste of the ITV 9 o'clock slot.

And coming straight after Hollingdon Drive series! (another dreadful waste of time) ITV get your act together.

This could have been good, with like 90% less brooding music

[sgw555 · 6/10 · 24 November 2021]

By the middle of episode 3, I kept picturing this conversation in my head:

The writer, director and producers are in the room.

"Guys, they've approved us but they want 4 episodes and we only have enough material for 3," says the writer.

"Well, just write some more stuff in there!" responds the producer.

"Are you kidding?" the writer replies. "I've already explored every tangential diversity-related subplot I can think of and we've already got 12 minutes of reaction shots in every episode. I've got nothing left, man."

"Don't worry," says the director. "If we add 15 minutes of drone shots set to slow, brooding music to each episode, we can definitely get 4 episodes out of this. Everyone will think it's an insightful commentary on the amorality of psychologically-based crime and they will DEFINITELY pick up a second season."

And that's exactly what they did. My recommendation is to watch this while doing housework, because there's so much filler you don't really have to give it your full attention.

Some good, some bad

[brownwolfpublishing · 6/10 · 25 November 2021]

I read the book first. I'm glad some things were cut, however, some background was glossed over in the series which should have been emphasized.

The lead detective is too low key, even in the book. He lack the spark Vera has. It's like he's muddling through. The book had too much background on the character s private lives. The series does as well, although to a lesser degree. Mystery fans want a clever puzzle. The puzzle MUST be front and centre, not the private lives of the cops.

Slow to start but worth it

[scurrie-58694 · 8/10 · 13 November 2021]

Yes the first episode is kinda slow but it seems to me as if it's intentional. Each episode peeled back the layers of lies and secrets. Even exposing Matthew to how he hid his own shame and even he had to tearfully acknowledge that. I hope there's a second season where the characters can be further developed.

The book is better.

[fairacre-08314 · 6/10 · 4 November 2021]

I didn't have a problem with the actors, they were fine. This adaptation Ann Cleeve's book for TV was more family drama than murder mystery. Of course all good mysteries have secrets that are revealed as the investigation progresses, but this filmed version of the story was too long. I think it would have been better if it had been edited to two episodes rather than four.

An intriguing story that sadly didn't live up to its promise

[JRB-NorthernSoul · 5/10 · 25 October 2021]

The Long Call is adapted from the first novel of a new series by Ann Cleeves (Shetland & Vera) so comes from a fine pedigree.

The show follows a gay male detective, (amazingly for the first time on UK TV) Matthew Venn as he returns to a strict evangelical community in Devon to attend his father's funeral before investigating a murder.

It was stylish but the direction was poor technically and trying too hard to be edgy it ended up being distracting. The scene in the first episode between Neil Morrissey and Pearl Mackie was bizzarely shot, you'd think they'd let a passerby have a go behind the camera...

Main problem though was that the lead actor Ben Aldridge was too ineffectual and bland, he spent most of his time standing still and thinking aloud with his hands in his designer trouser pockets. The story would have been better told in fewer episodes or over 90 minutes. The script was ponderous.

New detective shows do need time to bed in - and I do hope they get a second series to try and nail it. The ending was good and satisfying but sadly this series was very much style over substance and too slow. I can't blame the many viewers that abandoned ship.

It's a slow burn, but worth it.

[Avidviewer-02847 · 8/10 · 29 October 2021]

This is a new crime drama from the reigning queen, Ann Cleeves who has given us "Vera" and "Shetland", Vera is set in Northumberlandshire, Shetland on the islands and now The Long Call (TLC) on the north coast of Devonshire.

The cast for season one includes Ben Aldridge, Juliette Stevenson, Martin Shaw, Neil Morrissey, Alan Williams and many more, they are major actors and expect major parts and the acting is very good. Kudos to the casting director. I hope BAFTA looks at this series for awards.

It is a slow burn, it's not one solved case per episode but one case over four episodes. It's tough to maintain viewer interest and glad they released it over four nights. The creator and producers should look at whether one story over two episodes or one 90 minute episode works best for future seasons.

DI Matthew Venn is not DCI Vera Stanhope (Vera) or DI Jimmy Perez (Shetland), he's younger and university educated and works collaboratively with his team. Venn is new and some have commented that he needs to be stronger, but he was raised in a religious community where members listen a lot as his mother pointed out. DCI Stanhope and DI Perez started out rocky and developed their TV personas.

Some of the younger actors are trying to do a regional or other accent and it's not working, it comes across mumbly and not clear. I was hoping for subtitles to understand some of the dialogue. The Incident Room at the police station is too big, the staff get lost and the sound isn't consistent. In general Ben Aldridge is the easiest to understand.

The other is that British crime dramas get exported to other countries and the British are great for acronyms and they don't realize that the whole world doesn't understand their acronyms. Speaking and understanding English doesn't mean understanding all the police acronyms. Season 6, Episode 1 of the great series "Line of Duty" was full of so many Met Police acronyms that Esquire Magazine (US) put out a translation page. At one point DI Venn tells his staff to check with the FLO in the child death, FLO is a Family Liaison Officer, a police officer assigned to a family.

Matthew's morning swims I saw as an homage to the Italian series "Montalbano", where police Commissioner Salvo Montalbano is often seen swimming each morning in the Mediterranean near his home.

These are minor problems that can be resolved. I hope season 2 is more focused on the crimes and less on the families, Here's hoping it's renewed for many more seasons.

Muddled

[Sara_Tor · 6/10 · 7 November 2021]

This was a bit muddled all around. The lead detectives were decent, the scenery was lovely and the cult was intriguing. But the plot started to drag by the end, the dialogue was clunky and the emotional arcs for the characters were not believable. It had potential to be better. But you could find a worse show to pass an evening or two.

Dull as Ilfracombe ditchwater

[taylorphilip · 4/10 · 26 October 2021]

Sorry but when you introduce a new detective series you need a lead actor with some charisma and impact.... Ben Aldridge makes a roll of beige wallpaper look exciting? I couldn't care less if he is gay or sleeps with donkeys, he is beyond boring. This attached to the dreadful cod west country accents...me babs, just leaves me cold.

Dull, depressing and without a plot that keeps your attention, this is a waste of time and effort. Just hoping that it improves? , which it surely has to, as it has set itself a very very low bar.

Powerful drama

[sarah-79053 · 7/10 · 6 December 2021]

Wonderful acting and beautiful scenery. Took a while to get into the story but really enjoyed it.

Anita Dobson is tremendous especially in the closing scenes.

Stellar performances by Ben Aldridge & cast, but...

[wendy_wickett · 7/10 · 1 November 2021]

I love the books. And for the most part I'm glad I watched this series-Ben Aldridge and Juliet Stevenson, as well as Martin Shaw and Anita Dobson gave gripping performances about some very important subject matter. The problem was directing and the editing. For example, the arrest scene at Dennis's house in episode 4 was rushed, poorly edited and just didn't make sense! Why would they send Matthew to their house *by himself* if he knew an arrest would be made? No seasoned DI would do that! And the violence was contrived and very poorly edited.

I would watch it again and but if there is a season 2, I hope they learn from their mistakes here. These stories need to be told, and need to be told WELL.

Count the wokes

[wisewebwoman · 6/10 · 29 October 2021]

There were far too many from what was a good storyline with some tension.

But it slithered rapidly into a lay on the red herrings, have the detective cry a few times, signal the murderer from way off though with a slight twist and have everyone live downtrodden miserable lives.

Quite depressing when it needn't have been. The incident room was vast and fancy and the lead was always dashing off in nineteen directions but not questioning the suspects as completely as he should. Everyone had unnecessary secrets.

I've seen better and I've seen worse and the writer Ann Cleeves can be a hit or miss with her plotting.

The scenery was all Doc Martin and so were the "my maid" ish accents which always ring false.

Interesting to see Ciaran Hinds' daughter in a yeah, you guessed it, in one of the many long faced dreary roles.

6/10.

In the end....

[hamlet-16 · 8/10 · 29 October 2021]

I waited until i had watched all four episodes before writing a comment here.

Like any first series it suffers from uncertain characterisations and exposition.

First the negatives:

1. The photography - the excessive closeups and blurred backgrounds just serve to distance the audience. This style is a fad at the moment and not one I like.

2. there was definitely a problem with the sound. The actors seem to have been miked too closely resulting in a muffled unclear sound that was hard to understand much of the time. The sound needs to be re-equalised to push out the voice component.

3. the production design was weird. The police offices were like a lost set from Star Trek™.

4. the plot was ultimately too easy and telegraphed too obviously. I guessed who and why well before the end of the first episode.

BUT despite this some of this series was gripping. Especially the last episode. The performances finally were allowed to show through. And it is for this episode that I gave the series an 8 out of 10.

I hope there is a second series. The show has promise. None of the issues with the first series are unfixable. Ann Cleeves is a brilliant writer and it shows in parts of The Long Call.

Not good at all

[andrewrye-06535 · 3/10 · 27 October 2021]

I wanted to like this but I struggled to get through the first episode and won't be watching any more.

The acting is stilted with pregnant pauses everywhere they aren't needed. This only serves to frustrate the viewer where they are trying to amp up the tension. The acting is weak and the story is weaker. I can't work out how the lead character became the 'boss', if you said boo he'd burst in to tears and his gay relationship isn't convincing, it feels forced.

The writing is lacking, I kept trying to will them to ask proper questions any cop would ask in an interview and obvious ones just weren't brought up.

Every scene tried to either be arty or tense and it becomes draining after a while. It never flowed and let the story unfold, just dreary and insipid.

It's a 3 for the scenery and the female cop who seems to be more interesting than the rest, if only she wouldn't mumble...

As a fan of Shetland and Vera- loved this new addition

[luciennoir · 9/10 · 2 November 2021]

Let me first say I absolutely hate anything "woke". Having a gay lead detective doesn't make a show woke. Yes they do seem to be throwing LGBTQIa people into everything these days. I'm gay myself and am tired of seeing it where it doesn't make sense. But I also have to say that it was nice having a "gay" detective as a lead where we haven't had one before except in the Donald Stratchey mysteries .

It took me a while to get used to the settings- all the wide windows and views such as in the police department set but it was at least different. And then I thought it did make sense to have windows like that in a town on the sea. To me the mood of the show was very similar to Vera and Shetland and I found the writing to be very good. I wasn't in that particular religion (the one on the show)but spent years in a church that was very cultish and had strong anti-gay sentiments. To me the show depicted that very realistically. Even having the lead character cry made sense and I can attest that growing up like that can have an affect on even the strongest person. Normally I hate seeing a lead character cry but for me it worked.

My partner and I watched the show over two days and it held both our interest. We liked all of the characters and would love to see more in the future.

Should have been called The Long Haul

[anevius · 2/10 · 26 October 2021]

So, I was watching paint dry the other day...any questions? For a 4 episode tale, the pacing is excruciatingly slow. There is no "thrill factor" in the storyline or characters.

Good start - shame about the accents

[bob-12980 · 9/10 · 27 October 2021]

I have enjoyed.the series so far. Reasonably true to the book. Agree that's its a bit slow, but that's not always a bad thing if it builds to a good finish. I hope they are setting the scene for a long running series.

Coming as i do from that part of Devon, i will admit to being annoyed by the lack of genuine North Devon accents. The media seem to think that there is some sort of generic west Country accent that we all use when there are lots of accents. North Devon is very different from South Devon. The accents in Doc Martin, for example, bear no relationship to the North Cornwall accent and are so awful I can't bear to watch it.

If the accents in Vera were as awful as they are here there would be riots in the streets of Newcastle.

Given that the Mathew Venn Actor, Ben Aldridge, comes from Exeter i would have expected better, but then they are a posher lot in Exeter.

Forgettable

[dudleyj-83552 · 4/10 · 23 February 2022]

Cinematography is fine and it has a reasonable plot, but the characters just fail to deveop. No one in the cast managed to to grab my attention in the way that Vera did. I felt completely detached by the whole series. Anne Cleeves can do better.

Well-acted, directed, and written adult mystery entertainment

[ModelOfBravery · 10/10 · 27 October 2022]

More seasons, please? I've enjoyed this evenly-paced, adult, sparse, relevant, well-written, carefully directed, and expertly-acted, stunning cinematographic story that builds slowly unravels much in how life pans out. Find it interesting we have straight actors playing Gay characters, but it's standard practice since Gay actors are still stigmatized, which lays the foundation of this tale. There's enough in this for everyone: mystery, landscape scenes beyond compare, complex characters, and story, all delivered with a pace that doesn't give you a panic attack. But mostly, the gore isn't needed. Instead, that's replaced by breathtaking scene cuts that make you want to book a flight.

Boring! Wooden! Sleep inducing!

[sharronmcfi · 1/10 · 3 November 2021]

I struggled onto the 4th episode in the hope it would get better...should have left it at the first 5 minutes of the 1st. It didn't get better. Just more boring, contrived and cringe! A few well known names who tried to carry this dross but didn't manage it. Ben Aldridge as the lead cop with no personality speaks in sentences which is really bizarre. The lead female cop ( so bad I can't even recall the name) was terrible. ( the actor) she had 1 facial expression and zero acting ability.