roderick-wylie Reviews

Ripley (2024)

Pretentious and devoid of tension

[5/10 · 6 April 2024]

I had high hopes for this series, but it disappoints. The unrelenting monochrome is harsh and seems like a mannerism.

Andrew Scott, a fine actor, is sadly too old for the role, and doesn't get the sinister aspects of the role. Dakota Fanning and (especially) Johnny Flynn are somewhat more successful.

But the least good aspect of this series is the pace. It is glacially slow, and my mind wandered several times. I feel the director is over indulgent. The camera lingers painfully slowly over the mundane. This means the series is a couple of episodes too long, and the last few episodes are especially frustrating with a noticeable lack of tension.

Basically this was a wasted opportunity.

World on Fire (2019–2023)

Different perspectives on war

[9/10 · 10 July 2023]

I am re watching this series prior to series 2 starting in July 2023 and even watching it for a second time remian impressed with the scope and the different perspectives on a period of history often told. Although there are many characters from the various countries, it is impossible not to be caught up in the narratives.

Acting wise, the series in notable for its mix of established and new actors. Lesley Manville is as always excellent and if Jonah Hauer King can on occasion seem less than forceful, that is a reflection of his character's trajectory.

I have high hopes series 2 will live up to series 1 even though some of the main characters will not appear.

The Crown: Cri de Coeur (2019) Season 3, Episode 10

A sad falling off

[3/10 · 21 December 2019]

This 3rd season of The Crown represented a sad falling off after the first two. Although Tobias Menzies is a credible Prince Philip, Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter are simply not credible as the Queen and Princess Margaret. They appear to be themselves playing these roles whereas their predecessors in the first two series convinced us they were who they played.

The writing, too, is very uneven, with Peter Morgan over compensating for a certain lack of drama in some of the years covered by the series bu making up or exaggerating events.

I shall not watch future series.

Tales of the City (2019)

Dull

[2/10 · 8 June 2019]

Sadly, this just doesn't live up to its promise. Have watched the first 3 episodes and won't be completing the series. Laura Linney seems underwhelmed by the script, and the hour long episodes are stretched. Occasionally it comes to life, but even the party in episode 1 outstayed its welcome. A big let down, and better not made.

The Brothers (1972–1976)

Looking back to The Brothers

[9/10 · 20 February 2013]

This was a great if guilty Sunday night drama on the BBC, often alternating with The Onedin Line. The earlier series were particularly noted for the portrayal of bitchy and sexy Ann Hammond by Hilary Tindall, and the stormy relationship with her husband Brian became one of the main story lines in the 3rd and 4th series. Tindall made a brief return in the final series. Later series suffered slightly by taking the focus away from the Hammond family, with too much emphasis on Paul Merroney. Sadly it looks like only series 1 is available on DVD. Other notable performances include Jean Anderson as the matriarch Mary Hammond and Richard Easton's portrayal of Brian Hammond. The series had a great signature tune. If it were around nowadays a great deal more would be made of it.