This is a treat of a serial. Ironically it is more cinematic than most films. Great use of widescreen to give size and space to the scenery. I was a bit worried at the beginning by the sentimental and really pointless narration but then was sucked in by the performances of the, mainly, English cast. I give it 8 out of 10 and that is because of Mr Spall's performance. Obviously the producers wanted Tom Hardy for the part and said to Spall. "Look mate do an impression of Tom Hardy as a messy, over the top, cartoon cockney and you can have the part." Spall is a much better actor than that but his performance jars against the slightly heightened reality of the other cast members. It was heartbreakingly moving at the end..touching on a subject (The effects of syphilis) that don't don't look at. It's not 'GODLESS' and it's perhaps padded by 45 minutes of 'Will they,won't they?' romantic talk but is certainly the best western serial since with great action...streets ahead of '1883'
Reviews
2 Reviews
Payback
(I) (2023)
Great crime mystery!
10 October 2023
This really is a great mystery/thriller series. Top realistic performances from the cast especially Morven Christie and Derek Riddell was just like a driven but honest senior cop..
They also got the police scenes right = None of that business of D. C.s calling their guv'nors by first name or kicking off with the higher ranks for 'dramatic' effect as we saw in Line of Duty...well done. More from the writer of this series please! Also having two super actors in the form of Steven Mackintosh and Peter Mullen really adds a great 'heft' to their various scenes.
Morven Christie's performance was so skilful, she must have been exhausted. A character under huge stress throughout and yet never puts a foot wrong..a great naturalistic performance. It was so rare in thriller/dramas where the central character doesn't have a trusty sidekick or friend with specials skills...she's all alone.
They also got the police scenes right = None of that business of D. C.s calling their guv'nors by first name or kicking off with the higher ranks for 'dramatic' effect as we saw in Line of Duty...well done. More from the writer of this series please! Also having two super actors in the form of Steven Mackintosh and Peter Mullen really adds a great 'heft' to their various scenes.
Morven Christie's performance was so skilful, she must have been exhausted. A character under huge stress throughout and yet never puts a foot wrong..a great naturalistic performance. It was so rare in thriller/dramas where the central character doesn't have a trusty sidekick or friend with specials skills...she's all alone.
Tell Your Friends