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Reviews
A Family Affair (2024)
A feast of cliches and filters
My Review- A Family Affair
My Rating 4.5 /10
Streaming on Netflix
This rom com probably may appeal to a certain audience but the script is as fake as the scenery.
I usually like its two stars Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron however any attractive duo with a minimal amount of talent could have played Brooke Harwood an attractive 50'ish Beverley Hills author and Chis Cole a hot action movie hero who also is Brooke's daughter Zara's boss .
Throw in veteran Kathy Bates as Leila Brooke's mother and Joey King who gave a superb performance in The Act 2019 as the daughter add a Christmas scene and you would expect a reasonable movie?
Think again as I often say it takes more than a star studded cast to make a good movie .
A Family Affair is embarrassing on a few levels the script is trite ,predictable and features every cliche ever used.
This includes Mother daughter conflict when mother sleeps with her daughter's boss .
Mother is 16 years younger , in reality 20 years younger than her buff boss .
A Widow falling for younger man after her husband dies of cancer then divulging to her mother that her marriage was not all it seemed of course with daughter over hearing the revelation.
Will the relationship last ? Will mother and daughter reconcile?
It seems like they may as they all idyllically sit round the table to share Christmas together but conflict and misunderstanding have to drive this watchable but poorly written well cast but self indulgent mistake of a movie to its climax .
A career low for Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron and company in my opinion no wonder it never got a cinema release.
Fake (2024)
Like watching an oncoming train wreck
My Review- Fake
Streaming on Paramount
My Rating 7.5/10
I found Fake a compelling psychological drama I can't call it a thriller as there was no crime committed or any murder but it is a dramatic journey into deception and obsession.
Asher Keddie starring as Birdie Bell gives an award winning performance and deserves every accolade she will obviously receive for this role . She is so believable as a successful journalist devoted to her career .
Her loneliness appears to have ended when she responds to a dating app and meets Joe Burt a well dressed but rugged looking, smooth talking guy who says he loves the outdoors and his kids from a broken marriage.
Birdie is reluctant at first to proceed further especially after a warning from one of Joe's ex girlfriend's to Run.
No spoilers you get the gist of the story it's not a new concept.
After all long before dating apps some particular type of men have led women on a merry dance of deception for centuries with multiple wives and children .
Today's cyber world of meeting partners on dating apps has certainly refined this practice .
My main small criticism of this well acted well produced series relates to a few plot inconsistencies that I can't reveal without a spoiler or two.
One is how could Joe Burt present so well in smart suits ties etc and have some obvious income but live like a homeless derelict in a boat with his dog?
The other was why it took a friend of Birdie Bell to convince her to change the lock on her apartment after certain revelations concerning Joel Burt are discovered.
David Wenham while not my favourite actor does give a very good performance but for me he was far too obvious a fraud from the beginning. His demeanour and leer was more fitting of a serial killer than an eligible date I would have run a mile .
Another wonderful performance worth a mention in Fake is from veteran Australian actress Heather Mitchell who is so irritatingly wonderful as Margeaux Birdie's mother.
I did enjoy Fake with reservations for me Asher Keddie gives one of the best performances of this season it's worth a watch.
Fly Me to the Moon (2024)
Clever Bright and original
My Review-
Fly Me to the Moon
In Cinemas now
My Rating- 9/10
I loved Fly Me to the Moon directed by Greg Berlanti and starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum it is a very deceptive movie disguised in very attractive packaging.
After all it is about deception and fake news a very contemporary topic in everyone's vocabulary today.
I describe it as a deceptive movie plot because it is packaged as a nostalgic romantic comedy .
Its two enormously attractive luminous stars reminded me a little of Doris Day and Rock Hudson but this romcom has a satirical sting in its purely fictional tale .
The movie is set in 1969 during the tricky Dicky Nixon Presidency which does in hindsight lend itself to conspiracy theories .
This main deception concerns an alternate staged telecast in the event that the American astronauts had not actually successfully landed on the moon.
I'm certain even though there were similar theories for decades that if there had really been a fake staged landing on the moon that surely the Russians would certainly have exposed if they were convinced it must have really happened.
Set in the late 1960's we meet Kelly Jones , a luminous effervescent successful self made advertising woman in a male dominated industry who arrives at NASSA headquarters in Florida to raise revenue and interest in for ailing Moon landing project .
This is her specialty to attract corporate sponsorship and put the Space program at the forefront of the American television and news reading public.
Scarlett Johansen in her best role in years plays Kelly like a Barbie doll with a PHD in psychology as she outwits and out manoeuvres any male that stands in her way.
Cole Davis played skilfully by Channing Tatum is like a quite silent Ken who is also incredibly intelligent and the leader of The Space program intent on getting Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins on the moon safely.
This incredibly attractive and attracted couple soon clash after their brief initial romantic encounter when Kelly begins to shake up the NASSAR establishment.
Her insistence on interviews with staff and media promotion is in stark contrast to Cole Davis who has dedicated his life to military service and Space research aimed at the moon landing.
Cole is still haunted by the loss of the crew of Apollo One who perished before take off and just prefers to stay out of the limelight.
Meanwhile Moe Burkus played by Woody Harrelson persuades Kelly with pressure to find a flamboyant movie director to film a fake moon landing in a vacant lot on site in case the moon mission fails just to save face with the Soviets who would take over and beat America to the Moon.
Moe threatens to reveal Kelly's dysfunctional past using that threat as a bargaining chip that reluctantly convinces her to go along with Moe's instructions on behalf of the White House .
Fly Me to the Moon is a really clever storyline by Keenan Flynn, Bill Kirstein and screenplay by Rose Gilroy and the look of the movie fashion and props is pure late 1960's nostalgia I enjoyed it very much especially the many Moon songs featured in the soundtrack.
Any movie that features a cat in this case a black cat to progress its plot is a winner for me . Top marks to the 3 cats that co starred as Mischief the black cat that causes a bit of mayhem on screen .
The director Greg Berlanti who is allergic to cats said very little cgi had to be used as all 3 cats were amazingly professional .
He said we'd be on a whole new set, and they'd learn it right away, so they were unbelievable and he now loves cats.
Ps - Have you ever counted how many songs have been written about the moon?
A Gentleman in Moscow (2024)
Great characterising from Ewan McGregor great series
My Review-
A Gentleman in Moscow
My Rating 9/10
Based on a 2026 novel by Amor Towles A Gentleman in Moscow I think has been beautifully adapted for television as an eight part series .
Praise be that the original choice to play the almost whimsical character of Alexander Rostof Kenneth Branagh went to Ewan McGregor. While I recognise Sir Kenneth is a fine actor I could see him playing Rostov like Hercule Poirot which I didn't enjoy very much at all.
Ewan McGregor brings this fictional character to life and while to plot is pure fantasy I could believe that he was a Russian aristocrat spared execution by being placed in home detention for ten years The Metropole Hotel in Moscow .
I read that The Metropol is a real hotel which was built in the center of Moscow in 1905 and which is still welcoming guests today. Contrary to what you might expect, the hotel was a genuine oasis of liberty and luxury during the Soviet era despite being around the corner from the Kremlin and a few blocks from the head quarters of the secret police.
The series is not filmed in the actual hotel but in Space Studios, a 850,000 sqft studio facility in Manchester and it certainly looks authentic.
Set in 1922 Count Alexander Rostov is considered an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal.
He is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol threatened with immediate execution if he steps outside the door of the hotel.
The witty and charming Rostov has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel's doors.
His reduced circumstances provide him a doorway into a much larger world of emotional discovery plus introduce him to some wonderful characters.
I particularly enjoyed Mary Elizabeth Winstead who plays the glamorous aloof movie Queen Anna Urbanova her relationship to Rostov is plays a key role in this stylish entertainment.
Johnny Harris who plays Osip Glebnikof also gives a great performance as an ex
Colonel of the Red Army and current officer of the secret police. He tasks the Count with teaching him the ways of gentlemen in order to improve diplomacy with the West.
The real villain of the piece is a nasty character named Bishop played by John Heffernan who starts out as a waiter, but with powerful friends in the Party, works his way up to manager of the Metropol. He makes it his focus to challenge and destroy the traditions of the aristocracy and the Count.
I place this performance by Ewan McGregor as Count Alexander Rostov among one of his finest and most sensitive performances to date .
He certainly brings charm sophistication and wit to this delightful character and I thoroughly recommend A Gentleman in Moscow.
Footnote - I must mention the two young actresses who play important roles in this series . Alexa Goodall who plays Nina as a young girl and later Billie Gadsdon who plays Nina's daughter and the Counts ward Sofia they both are examples of the quality of juvenile acting today and a credit to their acting teachers. I'm sure we will see more from them I'll be keeping an eye out for them.
Sugar (2024)
Entertaining and original intriguing concept
My Review -
Sugar -
Streaming on Apple TV plus
My rating 10/10
Sugar is a great title as Detective John Sugar played to perfection by the incredibly talented Irish actor is a sweetie .
He loves dogs has a sentimental nature befriending the disadvantaged and homeless and is not afraid to show his emotions, although strangely or is it he has no romantic entanglements?
Don't be mistaken though there is much more to John Sugar than meets the eye as the series progresses , especially in the final episodes which I won't reveal except to say it was very an unexpected revelation.
John Sugar's character immediately won me over when the first revelation is that he is a dedicated cinephile especially of the era known as The Golden Hollywood years.
As the plot of this 8 part series develops Sugar is hired by a prominent movie producer Jonathan Siegel played by James Cromwell to find his missing Grandaughter Olivia . John Sugar is immediately struck by the similarities of Olivia to his sister who also disappeared years ago .
Sugar despite his health issues takes on the case despite the advice of his friend and agent Ruby played by an actress just called Kirby .
His decision leads to us being introduced to some very seedy and dysfunctional characters.
They include The Siegel family including Olivia's parents and half brother Davy or as he insists on being called David Siegel .
This is probably as a consequence of being a successful child actor who didn't transfer well to adult roles .
Margit his neurotic mother is trying to orchestrate an Oscar winning comeback for her B Grade movie son telling him how wonderful he is .
Margot is well cast with Anna Gunn and Nate Corddry is very convincing as David.
Amy Ryan gives a wonderful performance as Melanie a bit of a mystery woman who's relationship to the the missing Olivia introduces us to the seedy perpetrators of the human trafficking of young vulnerable women.
Colin Farrell I think gives one of the finest performances of this season's television although I still think Ben Mendelson should win an Emmy this year for his portrayal of Christian Dior in The New Look .
He will have stiff competition alongside Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor for A Gentleman in Moscow.
All through this original and for me captivating series we see snippets of great film noir movie clips which added to the total enjoyment for me of Sugar
The night before Sugar I gave up in despair on series 3 of The Bear which I had enjoyed previously because unlike this series it has become emotionally pretentious and unfathomable missing out on the most important ingredient for me to expand on a story and keep it entertaining.
Sugar beautifully directed by Fernando Meirelles and Adam Arkin and its star Colin Farrell as one of the executive producers is a labour of love and it's obvious in every frame.
Please don't do what I did by looking up details of series 2 before you finish because it reveals the originality of the plot and is a total surprise and I can't wait for more Sugar.
Bridgerton: Into the Light (2024)
A Splendid Confection
My Review-
Bridgerton Series 3 Part 1 &2
My Rating 9:10
Gentle reader I must confess when the Bridgerton series commenced in 2020
I thought it clever in a silly way and as artificial as the flowers that adorn every scene .
The colour blindness of the cast at first confused and annoyed me but I persevered and began to appreciate this television confection for its unique qualities.
The writers and producers make no apologies or even attempt to authenticate any historical fact or style in the set decoration.
This is simply a saga of the privileged classes and their attempts to social climb and marry well to win favour at the Court of Queen Charlotte played with devilish charm by Golda Rosheuvel.
Series 2 didn't quite win me over as much as the first but Series 3 I think is a gem fit for any Royal Crown.
Perhaps I needed a break from the angst of violent crime and punishment sagas I'm not sure ?
However on a recent holiday in Spain I was amazed at the elaborate window displays and obvious adoration for the Bridgeton franchise.
I read it's the top rating series in Spain and obviously a ratings pleaser judging from the incredible budget that is lavished on its sets and costumes.
So I was eager to revisit the series on returning home and now I'm a dedicated fan and looking forward to beginning the series again with fresh eyes and pleased to read there will eventually be a series 4 and I predict like Downton Abbey a movie will eventually materialise.
I think the key to Bridgerton's success is a very clever recipe of simplicity and glamour.
If you're going to have a gossip story featuring scandal and romantic intrigue why not exaggerate it and set it in Utopia where there are no wars , no violence and even the Queen and her Court are majestic as well as fallible.
No hint is made of the historic or political events of the day in fact although it's a whimsical take on the marriage of mad King George 111 and his wife Queen Charlotte making Bridgerton for me a modern Jane Austen 17th or 18th Century fantasy.
The outlandish cleverness and contrast in styles of costume designers John Glaser, John Norster, Sophie Canale, and Ellen Mirojnick deserve special mention.
The star performance for me in series 3 for me was from Nicola Coughlan who plays Lady Penelope no spoilers but her role and eventual revelation of her identity made this series so enjoyable for this gentle viewer.
Baby Reindeer (2024)
Well done but not a pleasant experience
My Review- Baby Reindeer
My Rating. 8/10
Streaming on Netflix
In Twelve Step Fellowships there's an important Step known as the confession Step which encourages members to
acknowledge their struggles and whatever harm they caused to themselves or others .
This sums up the content of Baby Reindeer for me except when doing this Step it's supposed to be a private admission between the person attempting it and a trusted friend and Higher Power.
Richard Gadd who gives a superb performance as himself has decided to tell his warts and all story in the most public arena on the planet television.
We are told that Baby Reindeer is based on a compelling true story ?
Its writer Richard Gadd first wrote Baby Reindeer as a hit play at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival then adapted it as the 7 part television series Baby Reindeer .
The story follows the writer and performer Donny Dunn's warped relationship with his female stalker and the impact it has on him as he is ultimately forced to face a deep, dark buried trauma.
I hope his story is based on truth because a woman in Scotland alleging to be the real life Martha portrayed in this story as a crazed and very mentally disturbed woman who is eventually imprisoned has recently sued Richard Gadd and Netflix for $170 million, claiming that the show has "viciously destroyed" her and that the allegations made against her are untrue.
The most impressive performance for me in Baby Reindeer for me was from Jessica Gunning who plays the crazy obsessed Martha she is unpredictable and mesmerising regardless if her character was truly like that or not ?
Does his story make compelling television I would say yes but there are some incredibly disturbing scenes of emotional and violent turmoil and drug use which I found very hard to watch and depressing.
It's impressively written and performed but I didn't enjoy the experience I felt it to disturbing and almost voyeuristic watching it a bit like standing on the kerb watching the aftermath of a road accident, not a pleasant experience.
Eric (2024)
Superb performances and great storyline
My Review- Eric
Streaming Netflix
My Rating. 9/10
I really enjoyed, perhaps not the right word to use as this is a serious and gritty drama that deals with so many challenging issues.
Those issues include addiction, parental alienation, homelessness, homophobia and corruption in high office.
This six part one off series I found original and the performances especially powerful from Benedict Cumberbatch as Vincent Anderson a failed husband and father due to his addictive demons .
Vincent is married to Cassie a wife and mother living on her nerves and fears played brilliantly by Gaby Hoffman.
It's not easy as one would think for an actor to play a convincing alcoholic addict and this is the second time I've been stunned by Benedict Cumberbatch's authenticity in a role depicting an addicts personality.
In 2018 in the excellent series Patrick Melrose he was equally brilliant playing the aristocratic son turned drug addict and product of a totally dysfunctional childhood.
His role as Vincent in Eric is totally different as the father of son Edgar who mysteriously vanishes and is reported missing after not returning home from school .
Set in 1980's Manhattan the Anderson family is in turmoil even before Edgar's disappearance Vincent and Cassie's marriage is a battle ground with Vincent's alcohol fuelled mood changes and obsessions concerning his successful career in puppetry .
Vincent's escape is a popular television show titled "Gooday Sunshine" featuring a group of Sesame Street type puppets.
There's not much sunshine around this part of Manhattan set during the 1980s AIDS epidemic, when a closeted gay Detective Ledroit played with great integrity and sensitivity by McKinley Belcher III is assigned to the case of the disappearance of Vincent's son Edgar .
He soon finds links to a previous case involving another missing boy whose case was closed as his mother insists because he was coloured.
The Detective's secret gay life is soon revealed and it's only a secret because of the internalised homophobia of the NYPD and society at that time.
The effect if his sexuality was revealed would have dire consequences on his career .i
The script is beautifully written by Abi Morgan and the series director Lucy Forbes have done a remarkable job portraying the 1980's seedy underbelly of Manhattan which at the time was undergoing great building development causing homelessness and as a result an increase in street crime .
One aspect I particularly resonated with in this series was Vincent's alter ego or addiction persona which takes the form of a huge Henson like puppet the monster under his sons bed named Eric that the series gets its name from .
Eric is an alcoholic fantasy in Vincent's brain who wants Vincent to fail prompting him to drink his grief and guilt away I was very moved by this vision , some viewers may think it silly? If anyone has seen an alcoholic or addict talking to an imaginary monster in their head while others think they're crazy will know what I mean.
In summing up this 6 part series it may have a few flaws here and there but I found it entertaining, compelling and very emotional .
I highly recommend it and I'll make a rare sweeping statement regarding an actor I admire so much for his range of roles and dedication .
Benedict Cumberbatch over his extensive career continues to convince me that he is the finest British actor of stage screen and television living today.
Faithless (2024)
Irish blarney coated with Turkish delight
My Review-
Faithless-
Streaming on SBS
My Rating. 7:10
If you're looking for an amusing and touching little series and prepared to be interrupted by a few adds this little gem from Ireland will hit the spot .
I enjoyed the multi cultural family aspect of Faithless that successfully and sympathetically melds two distinctly different cultures Irish and Egyptian together .
Set in Dublin Sam Amin delightfully played by
Baz Ashmawy through tragic circumstances finds himself a single parent to his three daughters .
Lina the eldest is challenging Layla choses to wear the Hijab which caused problems in a Catholic school and little Nancy who is played by a wonderful child actress named Carmen Rose Youssef thinks she's an elf .
Her performance alone is worth watching this series she is a darling old soul.
The household is joined by Sam's much loved but irresponsible and randy younger brother Zein also Uncle to the 3 sisters .
Uncle Zein is impressively played by Amir El-Masry.
I really warmed to this family of Irish battlers and their outlaws and in-law's especially their Dad Sam .
Sam Amin really tries and often succeeds to be both Mum and Dad to his daughters even while under great financial stress .
He lives in hope that his old typewriter will produce another novel or television script after a writing drought even when his literary agent had given up on his talent.
I found Faithless well worth watching and it leaves the door wide open for a second series.
It's 6 short episodes of Irish humour blended with Turkish delight.
Freud's Last Session (2023)
Interesting more than entertaining
My Review- Freud's Last Session
My Rating. 7/10
I found this movie more interesting than entertaining based on a play by Mark St. Germain who wrote the screenplay with Matt Brown who also directed the movie.
It portrays an imagined meeting between the Sigmund Freud the great Austrian founder of psychoanalysis and C. S. Lewis the famous British writer of The Chronicles of of Narnia plus a literary scholar, and Anglican lay theologian.
I think this would come across to audiences more effectively on stage than as a movie however to have the privilege of seeing two fine actors like Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode who plays C. S. Lewis act out an imaginary meeting between two intellectual giants debating their spiritual philosophy and faith or lack of it is a fascinating concept.
Set on the eve of WWII after the invasion of Poland Sigmund Freud is suffering from incurable cancer and approaching the end of his life . He invites author C. S. Lewis for a discussion about the existence of God.
The famous saying advising never to discuss religion or politics or sex doesn't apply to these 2 men one who is an atheist the other who has an unshakable faith in his God.
C. S. Lewis has faced death in the trenches and asks Freud why his scientific faith can't allow the possibility of a belief in a spiritual faith?
The interaction of these two men in Frued's study are cordial at they recall moments in each others earlier lives however
Frued 's anger begins to show when the subject of his daughter Anna's and her friendship with Dorothy Birmingham enters the conversation.
Anna lived with Dorothy for many years after her father's death and together with Melanie Klein established the Hampstead Child Therapy Course and Clinic in 1952, now renamed the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.
Sigmund Freud believed that homosexuality was a sexual dysfunction so this subject obviously was a prickly one for an old man totally dependent on his daughter's care to discuss.
Anna Freud is played in the movie by Liv Lisa Fries and she is very impressive in this supporting role .
Personally this aspect of the movie I thought detracted from the main topic of spiritual faith versus scientific denial and the possibility of a link or bridge between each philosophy?
At the end of the movie I decided I liked C. S. Lewis as a character much more than Sigmund Freud who Lewis describes as a very selfish man.
Frued's Last Session as I said is interesting a bit dull but showcases 2 great actors performances. I would love to see the play.
Ripley (2024)
Impressive and glorious cinematography
My Review- Ripley
Streaming on Netflix
My Rating 8/10
It's unusual for me to begin a review by praising the cinematographer but this
8 part series is a joy to watch from beginning to end it immediately reminded me of the work of the famous French photographer and film maker Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The Director and writer of this adaptation Steven Zaillian was inspired by a black and white photo on the cover of his edition of The Ripley novel by Patricia Highsmith .
It stayed on his mind and he thought his television adaptation would lend itself to the monochrome treatment and I think it was a great decision .
The cinematographer Robert Elswit shot all episodes with Arri Alexa LF digital cameras capturing amazing definition and depth .
Andrew Scott plays a more mature Tom Ripley than the previous actors that have played this character both Alain Delon and Matt Damon were in their mid twenties Andrew Scott was in his late forties when he filmed Ripley.
I think he gives a fascinating new take on the character far more darker and complex than the previous fine actors who interpreted the role Alain Delon in the French movie Plein soleil or Matt Damon in the 1999 movie The Talented Mr Ripley.
I wont say that Andrew Scott gives the definitive interpretation but it's certainly the most interesting his face is a canvas that constantly changes as he deceives, charms, murders when his evil deeds catch up with him . His portrayal of Tom Ripley is of a man with a thousand faces who feels a self entitlement and desire to possess the affluence and wealth of his victim Dickie Greenleaf played by Johnny Flynn.
Tom Ripley flees his fraudulent lifestyle in Manhattan when his schemes unravel landing in The Italian Riviera like a cuckoo in to the nest of Dickie Greenleaf the privileged son of a wealth Baron who commissions Tom to convince his artistic playboy son to return to the family fold back in America .
Tom Ripley not only has to convince Dickie Greenleaf that he knew him in America he also has to convince his suspicious girlfriend Marge Sherwood played by Dakota Fanning sister of Elle who really impressed me in this role what a talented family she belongs to.
Tom Ripley is a loner and even rehearses his deceptive dialogue to with himself as he plots his strategy to convince the various characters in Dickie Greenleaf's life especially his girlfriend Marge Sherwood that he is who he says he is as he gradually wins over the trust of Dickie Greenleaf.
I was less impressed with Johnny Flynn's casting as Dickie Greenleaf I thought he was dull and uninteresting but perhaps that's just what the director wanted ?
The series for me started off at a little slower pace then after a few instalments it really took off at a very thrilling speed that reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock's style .
In fact the whole series I thought is a tribute to the famous film-noir movies of the post war 1950's period.
I looked up the definition of film noir which fits this series beautifully as a style of filmmaking characterized by such elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy.
Ripley is a well crafted series and very entertaining well worth a look in my opinion.
To Olivia (2021)
Interesting and well performed
My Review- To Olivia
My Rating 7/10
I've read various descriptions of this movie made in 2021 mostly describing it as depicting the tumultuous marriage between author Roald Dahl and Oscar winning Hollywood actress Patricia Neil.
Both roles impressively played by Hugh Bonneville as Roald Dahl and Keeley Hawes as Patricia Neal, who also gives an impressive performance . However I thought in this case Keeley Hawes a little too British to play the Kentucky born famous American actress with a very distinctive voice.
I disagree with the simplicity of labelling this emotional story just as a the story of a tumultuous marriage .
It was a marriage that lasted 30 years in which the couple survived the tragedy of a brain damaged son then the loss of their eldest daughter Olivia at the age of seven from encephalitis caused by measles .
Then later Patricia Neal suffered three burst cerebral aneurysms while pregnant in 1965 and was in a coma for 3 weeks.
Roald Dahl who was fascinated by medicine assisted in his wife's recovery by pushing Patricia Neal back to normalcy with six hours of mental and physical exercise every day.
The timeline that this movie portrays in their marriage takes place earlier in the 1960's at a tumultuous time in both their lives .
Roald Dahl's writing success was minimal compared to his famous wife Patricia Neal who is offered the movie role that she eventually won her best actress Oscar for cast as Alma Brown opposite Paul Newman in the 1963 hit movie Hud.
It explores the couples shared grief which eventually becomes a source of redemption and strength, ultimately leading Dahl to write the renowned classic "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Directed by John Hay who co wrote the script with David Logan To Olivia is based on a novel by film historian Stephen Michael Shearer titled An Unquiet Life.
I enjoyed this movie as I think anyone interested in film history but I wonder if the novel is better than the movie.
Scoop (2024)
Just a pat on the back for the BBC
My Review- Scoop
My Rating. 6/10
I would gladly watch any docu drama with a cast that includes Rufus Sewell, Billie Piper, Gillian Anderson and Romola Garai and I though they all have impressive performances.
However I was disappointed with Scoop based on the novel Scoops written by Samantha McAlister an English former TV producer and author, best known for securing an interview with Prince Andrew on BBC Newsnight's program that disclosed his involvement with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Epstein cultivated an elite social circle and procured many women and children whom he and his associates sexually abused.
If this part of Prince Andrew's involvement was part of the whole Epstein story as part of a series I would have found it more interesting.
This docudrama in my opinion even perhaps could have been covered in a later series of The Crown rather than a drawn out pat on the back for the BBC team who successfully exposed the covert and corrupt association that Prince Andrew the Duke of York had with Epstein and his criminality.
I imagine this television event did attract a great deal of interest and great ratings for the BBC but I remember thinking what an idiot Prince Andrew was and I felt so sorry for his late mother The Queen to have to experience yet another family scandal in the last two years of her long life.
Civil War (2024)
Wake up America
My Review/
Civil War
My Rating 6/10
In Cinemas now
Civil War explains the title of this road trip movie to hell and all you need to know about the plot can be summed up in a few words mayhem, insanity and a Nation imploding.
This modern Civil War takes place in the not to distant future but unlike The first American Civil War when the country split into two groups North and South this war involves the whole nation split 4 ways known as Loyalist states, Western Forces
The Florida Alliance and The New People's Army
When the unlikely alliance of Texas and California known as The Western Forces are about to make a final push to the Capital Washington to permanently remove a rogue President the violence really escalates to fever pitch.
A team of war reporters led by Lee played Kirsten Dunst who gives a wonderful performance and Joel played by Wagner Moura leave a war torn New York City to cover the action and try to get an exclusive interview with The President before the Western Forces get to the White House.
A third member of the group is a young aspiring reporter Jesse played by Cailee Spaeny who also is impressive plus a veteran reporter Sammy played by Stephen McKinley Henderson.
My problem with this movie written and directed by Alex Garland is that so much is unexplained with so many questions unanswered like who, what, when and why did this Civil War begin.
We as movie audiences are instantly thrown into the action and horror of very confronting and very disturbing war violence with no background, perhaps that's the direction that Alex Garland decided he wanted this movie to take .
It begins with this unnamed President in his third time giving a national telecast falsely stating a great victory is imminent that's all we know.
Then the crux of the story begins with the war reporters hellish trip to the Capital.
I really hope every American sees this movie but I can't say it impressed me in fact it disturbed me again I'm sure that was Alex Garlands intention .
However if it makes Americans think about the consequences of who they vote for this year he has my vote .
Mr Bates vs. The Post Office (2024)
A true David and Goliath story
Mr Bates vs. The Post Office
Streaming on 7plus
My Rating 9/10
As one article stated There is a moment in "Mr Bates vs. The Post Office" that makes you as a viewer go "it cannot be real" only for you then to remind yourself that what you are watching is a true story.
However as Australians we know that so called revolutionary computer programs linked to our recent Robodebt class action cause heartbreak and great financial loss to innocent users of these systems.
This 4 part series tells the true story of one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history. When money started to seemingly disappear from its local branches, the government owned Post Office wrongly blamed their own managers for its apparent loss.
These allegations took a heavy toll on the victims and their families, leading to stress, illness, family breakdown, and at least four suicides.
The events depicted in Mr Bates vs The Post Office took place over a 20 year period covering the first sackings of sub postmasters and closures of their shops in 1999 to 2009 to the eventual class action that took place in 2020 2021 that began to see justice , accountability and some compensation for the victims of a faulty accounting system called Horizon.
A splendid ensemble cast headed by Toby Jones perfectly cast as Alan Bates a Welsh sub- postmaster who after being accused of fraudulent accounting was locked out of his business . Alan Bates eventually became the champion of over 500 post office workers who experienced the same treatment when the British Post Office insisted their accounting system Horizon doesn't lie .
As each victim rang for help to rectify the mistake they were just told they were responsible for the short loss and that no one else had reported the same problem?
This series is a David and Goliath story everyone should see this cautionary tale . It's beautifully directed by James Strong and written by Gwyneth Hughes.
After the series be sure to watch the 48 minute documentary on the same channel The Real Story of Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
The Regime (2024)
Kate Winslet is superb
My Review-
HBO streaming Foxtel
The Regime - Streaming on Foxtel
My Rating 6/10
The Regime is billed as a Political satire which it certainly is , however for me it's more of a slapstick comedy than clever satire.
It's worth a look just for the brilliance of Oscar winner Kate Winslet's performance as the witless narcissist Chancellor Elena Vernham who rules like a dictator on speed an unnamed Central European principality .
Elena is quite unhinged even seeking instructions from her mummified father when the proverbial "S"hits the fan.
The unnamed kingdom is centred in a vague location between Switzerland and Germany and its deprived citizens mine plutonium while their leader and their corrupt government live in luxury ,an all too familiar story.
Kate Winslet obviously had great fun filming The Regime and has great comedy timing .
I admired the way she kept up Elenas's lisp impediment throughout the series plus her occasional singing on the local television station to entertain her people at Yuletide.
The Regime actually gets quite dark toward the conclusion as Chancellor Elena's empire begins to crumble and the rebels stage a coup.
Matthias Schoenaerts is also very impressive as the Rasputin like villain Corporal Herbert Zubak who mesmerises Elena with his charms and mysterious health remedies after he helps her surrogate son Oskar who suffers from seizures.
The other impressive cast member is Andrea Riseborough who plays Oskar's birth mother Agnes and personal assistant to Elena she is straight faced and dour throughout but adds real substance to a fractured plot.
This 6 part series In my opinion may have worked more effectively as a feature movie at times it reminded me of Wes Anderson's brilliant 2014 movie The Grand Budapest Hotel .
However this series for me was a bit of a drawn out farce lasting far too long .
The team of writers headed by series creator Will Tracy who wrote The Menu
and 3 episodes of Succession which I think are both brilliant I thought lost their way a little in this romp comedy.
Stephen Frears and Jessica Hobbs directed 3 episodes each and I think maybe that's one reason that for me it lost its way for me .
Let's just say I'm glad I watched The Regime for the ensemble performances especially Kate Winslett.
Black Earth Rising (2018)
Thrilling and Disturbing a must see
My Review -
Black Earth Rising
Streaming on Netflix
My Rating 9:10
This year on the 7th of April marks the 30th Anniversary of the start of the 1994 genocide that took place in Rwanda which lasted for the 100-day period to mid-July 1994.
More than 1 million people mostly from the Tutsi minority ethnic group, but also moderates from the Hutu majority who tried to protect Tutsis were systematically murdered by Hutu extremists during a 100 day killing spree.
Black Earth Rising is a powerful 8 part series released in 2018 that concerns the incredible task of a dedicated team of lawyers and diplomats trying to bring War criminals and the Political system that allowed these horrors to occur to justice.
It's a very emotional series the events of the genocide are based on fact but the series story by Hugo Blick is fictional .
Episode one begins with the foster mother of Kate Ashby , Eve Ashby a renowned International lawyer accepting a War Crimes case to be heard in The Hague at The International Court of Justice
Eve Ashby played by Harriet Walter saved her daughter's life of by rescuing her as a baby from the Rwandan genocide after Kate's parents had been brutally murdered.
When Eve Ashby takes on the War Crimes case involving an African militia leader the consequences of her decision alter her Rwandan born daughter's life forever.
The series then thrillingly enters a much wider arc of targets when John Goodman who gives a superb performance as Michael Ennis a barrister and friend of Kate's mother takes on the case together with Kate as a legal investigator.
This 8 episode series was written directed and produced by Hugo Blick who also has a major role in episodes 4 and 5 cast as Blake Haines the vile attorney in 2 dramatic episodes of Black Earth Rising .
Interestingly while in production the series was titled The Forgiving Earth but I think wisely went back to the original title at release time.
The series has a few slow spots but builds to a thrilling climax and thankfully focuses more on the drama of the fight for justice and accountability rather than depicting the shocking genocide that did actually occur in Rwanda thirty years ago this week.
A splendid ensemble cast some I've mentioned also include Tamara Tunie as Eunice Clayton the U. S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs ,Noma Dumezweni as Alice Munezero , a former General in the Rwandan Patriotic Army , all give top calibre performances in fact the entire production cast and crew deserve credit for this disturbing but thrilling series.
No doubt in years to come we will see similar stories of the atrocities of War still occurring in our world today because we never have learnt to live in Peace.
Mary & George (2024)
Mama Rose at The Court of James 1
Mary & George
My Rating. 8:10
Streaming Foxtel
Horrible history or hysterical history movies and series are very popular at the moment depending on your point of view .
We have The Favourite 2018, The Great 2020, Queen Charlotte-A Bridgeton Story ,Versailles 2015 and now Mary and George or as I call it " Moma Rose and Gorgeous George.
Julianne Moore is brilliant as Mary Villiers who later became The Countess of Buckingham like Mama Rose in Gypsy she lives her dreams of ambition and fame through her child .
In Mary's case it's not the showbiz stage that she's pushing her handsome son George Villiers toward it's The Royal Court and bed of King James 1st played by Tony Curran.
George is perfectly cast with Nicholas Galitzine as the handsome youth but he is just one of many who attract the attention and desire of King James the 1st .
James had already provided an heir to the throne his sonn who later became Charles the first but that's another story.
James the First married the Danish Princess Anne of Denmark when she was just 14 they had three children that survived .
A rift in the what appeared to be a happy marriage occurred with rumours concerning The Kings male favourites and possible lovers, notably Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.
This is the primary aspect that the series creator D. C. Moore and the screenwriters have concentrated on in their adaptation of Benjamin Woolley's book The King's Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I.
How much is fact and how much is fiction to add to the drama I'm not sure but Mary and George while looking authentic to the period in sets and costume doesn't try to pretend to be a historical document .
This story is dramatic, very raunchy and sensual in parts but I think it succeeds in creating an impression of just what the moral and ethical behaviour of the court of James 1 would have been like.
There is no attempt to creat Shakespearean type British accents especially from Julianne Moore as Mary and I think this adds reality to her character .
This North Carolinian born actress is mesmerising in this role you can see the wheels of her mind turning as she schemes and plots like Lady Macbeth to increase her power with her son George as the currency to purchase the power and influence she desires at any price.
Mary marries her way up the ranks, bribes politicians, colludes with criminals and claws her way into the hearts of the establishment, making it her own.
I really enjoyed this realistic almost contemporary look into the horrible history of James I who was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots and The King of Scotland for 36 years .
He began The Stuart dynasty which reigned in England and Scotland from 1603 to 1714.
If you enjoyed The Crown television series and the scandalous intrigue Mary and George I'm sure will be on your list.
Mary & George is inspired by the explosive true story of Mary Villiers, who moulds her beautiful and charismatic son, George, to seduce the King and achieve immense power.
From humble beginnings the pair rise to achieve riches, titles and huge influence on the English court through outrageous scheming and dangerous gameplay.
The stakes are incredibly high, with England's place on the world stage under threat from a Spanish invasion and rioters taking to the street to denounce the new king.
Prepared to stop at nothing and armed with ruthless political steel, Mary marries her way up the ranks, bribed politicians, colludes with criminals and claws her way into the hearts of the establishment, making it her own.
Mary & George is an audacious historical psychodrama about a treacherous mother and son who schemed, seduced and killed, in order to conquer the court of England and the bed of its King.
Litvinenko (2022)
Powerful and disturbing David Tennant superb
My Review -
Litvenko
Streaming on SBS on Demand
My Rating 9/10
David Tennant is truly outstanding cast as Alexander Litvenko the British naturalised Russian defector and former officer of the Russian Federal Security Service.
Litvenko was poisoned and eventually died of radiation chemicals in 2006 aged 44.
Equally impressive in this series is Mark Bonnar who is cast as Detective Superintendent Clive Timmons who is in charge of one of the most serious murder cases in British history.
Based on actual events Detective Timmons is the first person to believe that the incredibly ill Litvenko is probably the only murder victim he has investigated that is still alive and slowly dying of radiation poisoning.
Litvenko bedridden in hospital relays the events that caused his horrific poisoning in an attempt to find justice and expose his assassin.
Alexander Litvenko totally is convinced that Vladimir Putin has been instrumental in ordering his death and as the detective discovers how contamination with anything that's related to the case can cause death this 4 part series takes off in a thrilling way.
This series also has an impressive ensemble cast directed by Jim Field Smith with a great script by George Kay who also created the top rating drama Lupin .
The series is even more fascinating especially in view of the recent events in Russia and the death of Alexei Navalny I highly recommend it .
The New Look (2024)
Superb performances an Epic story worth a series
My Review-
The New Look - streaming on Apple+
My Rating 10/10
What a great series for so many reasons two being the superb performances of Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel and Ben Mendelsohn who gives what I think is the finest performance of his career playing the legendary French fashion designer of The New Look Christian Dior.
I also was incredibly impressed with Maisie Williams who plays Catherine Dior the beloved sister of Christian who survived the hell of slave labor in Ravensbruck and other camps, a death march to Dresden and likely rape by Soviet troops during liberation.
The New Look is a story of survival on many levels during and after the 2nd World War after the Nazi invasion of France and Europe.
Coco Chanel who preceded Dior also survives after the war but not without serious allegations of conspiracy and cooperation with The German Reich.
Coco who was 27 years senior to Christian Dior was scathing in her disdain and jealousy when Dior exploded on the fashion scene transforming the wardrobe of the contemporary woman almost overnight, leading to a rejection of the war years practicality in women's tailoring.
Chanel was not afraid to express her disapproval. She accused Dior of dragging women back to the 19th-century ideals of femininity-upholding notions that women were objects to be admired by men. "Dior doesn't dress women
The New Look is a ten episode epic series full of surprises, intrigue and emotional content especially centred around these two very different and complex characters Coco Chanel and Christian Dior.
Ben Mendelsohn is totally convincing playing the famous French and Jewish fashion designer who remained in Paris during the occupation .
His beloved sister Catherine was a hero in the French Resistance, and Christian offered her both emotional and material support through some of the war's darkest times.
Juliet Binoche has the less sympathetic role as the ambitious and at times ruthless Gabrielle Chanel who rose from humble beginnings as a deserted foundling in a convent orphanage to become the most famous female fashion label in history.
The creative team on The New Look led by Director Helen Shaver and the talented team of screen writers lead by Matthew Fantaci have created a wonderful series.
Special mention of at least 3 supporting actor performances from John Malkovich cast as Lucien Lelong, Emily Mortimer as CoCo's problematic friend Elsa Lombardi and Glenn Close as Carmel Snow the
editor-in-chief of the American edition of Harper's Bazaar.
Argylle (2024)
Runs off in more directions than a Car Sat Nav
Argylle
My Rating 4/10
An impressive cast that's wasted in a juvenile fantasy that goes off in more directions than a Car Sat Nav .
The difference between this silly script by Jason Fuchs and a Car Sat Nav is usually the Sat Nav gets us to a destination.
The story I think is supposed to be an amusing parody on Spy movies we meet Elly Howard played by Bryce Dallas Howard a successful spy crime author who for some unknown reason enters the fantasy world she has created with her cat Alfie.
Her fictional world of espionage and conspiracy soon introduces us to her fantasy characters as Ellie begins to unravel mentally as most who manage get through this 2 hour 20 minute including myself also will by the time we reach the noisy ridiculous conclusion which sort of suggests a sequel ,please no no no ! Spare us .
I'm not surprised Argylle is a box office bomb for me it was a total waste of time.
I'm reminded of a much funnier movie title made over 60 years ago It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World .
I mentioned the impressive ensemble cast that includes Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine Howard , Henry Cavill, Ariana De Bose and Samuel L Jackson .
My one question I'd ask any of them is did they read the script?
Comedy crime thrillers can work remember The Pink Panther, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb , Casino Royale the parody version of 1967 I suggest Jason Fuchs take a look at these.
Most movies even bad ones I get something out of but sorry Argylle is not one of them.
Feud: Pilot (2024)
A Feud in A Major
My Review entire Series 2
Feud- Capote vs The Swans
I would suggest before watching Ryan Murphy's brilliant 8 part series Capote vs The Swans to at least watch the 2005 movie Capote starring Philip Seymour Hoffman or even better the 2006 movie Infamous starring Toby Jones.
I only say this because Capote vs The Swans mostly takes place toward the end of Truman Capotes main fame and his descent into alcoholism.
His fame and acclaim from his best selling novels Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1958 and In Cold Blood in 1966 plus his brilliant and acerbic wit attracted the cream of New York Society which included The Swans .
The Swans were Babe Paley, played by Naomi Watts ,Slim Keith played by Diane Lane , C. Z. Guest played by Chloe Sevigny Lee Radziwell, played by Calista Flockhart , Ann Woodward played by Demi Moore and Joanne Carson played by Molly Ringwald.
All the actresses cast as The Swans are barely recognisable as they are transformed in the elegant costumes designed by Lou Eyrich and lead make up artist Jackie Risotto who transforms these actresses with her brilliant hair and makeup.
All the actresses give wonderful performances especially Naomi Watts , Chloe Sevigny and Calista Flockhart who reveal aspects of their characters I've never seen them achieve in previous performances they are sophisticated, elegant, bitchy ,vengeful swans .
Naomi Watts plays Babe Paley who Truman Capote was once her closest confidant and friend till the betrayal .
He described her once as "Babe Paley had only one fault. She was perfect. Otherwise, she was perfect." their relationship was almost like a faux marriage they were that close .
This bring us to the crux of this 8 part Fued in A major -
Truman Capote effectively destroyed his cherished friendships with The Swans in his first excerpt of what was to be his magnum opus never to be published titled Answered Prayers .
The excerpt titled La Côte Basque published in Esquire Magazine in 1965 dropped a bombshell on his Swans and New York Society.
His bitchy betrayal of the marriage infidelities and scandals of his characters in the excerpt were told to him in confidence or by rumour by his friends.
Capote naively or intentionally did use pseudonyms for his beloved Swans but it was a treacherous and cruel act even causing a suicide . The Swans plotted their revenge by totally alienating him from their lives and the lives of many of the New York society darlings that had begged for invitations to Truman's famous Black and White masquerade Ball .
This banishment from the high society and adulation he so loved sent Truman Capote into a spiral of self-destruction from which he would ultimately never recover.
This is why I think without some background into Truman Capote's personality style and fame this series may seem trivial or melodramatic his genius needs to be acknowledged as well as his flawed bitchy effete self destructive personality.
I think this series and the wonderful performance by Tom Hollander who plays Truman Capote brilliantly in this series might seem exaggerated and over the top but his portrayal of Capote in this era of his life is certainly equal to Philip Seymour Hoffman and Tony Jones and should earn him an Emmy in my opinion.
I've watched interviews with Truman Capote at the time this series is set in 1965 when these events of this series took place and he seems sad but still retained his caustic wit and Tom Hollander gives a truly amazing performance.
It's hard to imagine without knowing a little of Truman Capote's early life and fame that he created the beloved character we know from Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1958 named Holly Golightly .
Who knows the young fey café society girl Holly Golightly who charmed us so may have been an amalgamation of all the loveable and fallible aspects of his beloved Swans ?
Wicked Little Letters (2023)
A divine Comedy with a Punch
My Review-
Wicked Little Letters -
My Rating 9/10
What an enjoyable romp refreshingly original like a dose of Tourette's the cast obviously had fun reciting the foul profanities in the wicked little letters that screenplay writer Jonny Sweet composed for this humorous comedy of substance .
I describe it as a comedy of substance because Jonny Sweet has combined a style of comedy with an earthiness and pathos which it seems only the British or Irish can achieve.
I won't spoil the story as it was a complete surprise to me in a way as I was expecting another predictable Midsummer murder type plot and no murders occur at all .
I wasn't expecting so many complex issues to be explored in this clever plot .
Set in 1920 post World War 1 Britain in a seaside village called Littlehampton matronly spinster Edith Swan played with delicious complexity by the superb Olivia Coleman receives the most obscene poisonous letters in language that no God fearing Christian woman would know or would she ?
When other women in Edith Swan's circle also begin to receive these obscene letters Edith's domineering father insists he knows who is responsible and the local police began an investigation.
The publicity of this unusual case soon propels Edith into the National News and her new found notoriety begins to appeal to this woman who has gone unnoticed for her entire life.
The prime suspect is her neighbour a young foul mouthed mother Irish immigrant named Rose Gooding played to perfection by Jessie Buckley.
These two fine actresses both in their prime are the heart and soul of Wicked Little Letters as the history of their complex relationship is revealed in this clever tale.
Three veterans of British theatre and cinema also have great moments in this movie.
Timothy Spall and Gemma Jones play Edith's parents Edward and Victoria Swan in one telling line Victoria reveals that she had six children 5 left and poor dowdy Edith was the chick that stayed behind to look after her parents .Edith's domineering chauvinist father bullies her poor daughter in one of the more serious sides to this story.
I was also delighted to see 90 year old Eileen Atkins cast as Mabel a member of the Christian women's whist card club she has some great wise and insightful lines in the movie.
I won't say more however what impressed me the most in Wicked Little Letters beautifully directed by another great woman director Thea Sharrock were the handling of the effects of issues like parental neglect and abuse on their children especially when the relationship is based on dependency.
Also the misogyny and power games directed at female employees that existed in the 1920's that I hope has disappeared from the Police Force today.
Anjana Vasan is perfect cast as Police woman Officer Gladys Moss she is belittled and patronised by the 2 Keystone Cops who try to keep her in her place .
I liked her line just call me Police Officer Gladys Moss isn't it obvious I'm a woman ?
The other great aspect of Wicked Little Letters for me was the way a persons appearance and personality can be used to incriminate them when a suspect must be found at all costs even when credible evidence points to the contrary.
Wicked Little Letters has an hysterical conclusion I really loved this movie.
My Favourite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert (2024)
Certainly was Some Enchanted Evening
My Favourite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert
My Rating 9/10
In Cinemas now limited release
For those audiences who love great music and great talent this limited showing of a concert tribute to mark the 80th anniversary of the Broadway opening of Rodgers and Hammerstein's ground breaking musical Oklahoma is a must see.
Directed by 5 time BAFTA winner Julia Knowles it features a 40 piece orchestra plus many famous musical star performers of stage and screen.
This who's who of talent features Broadway stars Patrick Wilson , Audra McDonald ,
Aaron Tveit with a delightful appearance from Rita Moreno. The West End stars include Joanna Ampil , Lily Kerhoas ,Maria Friedman and Michael Ball and Marisha Wallace.
This Enchanted Evening took place on Tuesday, 12th December, 2023, at London's newly restored Theatre Royal Drury Lane where the original Westend productions of Oklahoma , The King and I, South Pacific and Carousel took place.
The glorious songs that feature in all of Rodgers and Hammerstein famous and obscure shows are performed to perfection by the cast in song ,dance and narrative tributes to their creators.
It's an era of musical history collaboration that probably will never be seen again
with the advent of juke box musicals and show songs that are mostly forgotten as audiences leave the theatre.
My highlight was hearing and seeing the great six Tony award winning Audra McDonald again in magnificent voice who opens and closes the show .
As the now proprietor of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber the 2nd EGOT winner in this concert commented in his opinion Some Enchanted Evening is the greatest song ever written.
I don't entirely agree with that however this concert certainly qualified as an Enchanted Evening.
Waitress: The Musical (2023)
Entertaining and talented cast
My Review- Waitress : The Musical
My Rating- 7/10
In Cinemas now
It's rare indeed that the composer and lyricist of a successful Broadway musical gets to perform the starring role in their own creation but Sara Bareilles achieves this in Waitress . She wrote this musical with Jesse Nelson in 2015 and based it on the 2007 movie of of the same name written by Adrienne Shelly.
As a lover of the great Broadway musicals like Oklahoma, Sweet Charity, Hello Dolly and Company to name a few I have to say musically Waitress is a very average modern musical but very entertaining.
I doubt we will ever see the fabulous era of the stage musicals of Gershwin, Porter, Berlin ,Rogers and Hammerstein, Jerry Herman , Kander and Ebb or Sondheim ever again except in constant revivals.
This is partly due to the economics of producing a new musical on stage but mainly due to changes in the audience's tastes that pay huge ticket prices to see them.
Sara Bareilles plays Jenna Hunterson a waitress and expert pie maker living in a one horse town in a loveless marriage to a bully of a husband who regards her as his property and source of income.
Jenna works at Joe's Pie Diner alongside her two co workers Becky played beautifully by Charity Dawson and Dawn Pinkett a modern Ado Annie type played by Caitlin Houlahan.
This trio of Waitresses provide the best moments of the show as they support Jenna after she finds out reluctantly that after a rare one night of make up sex she's pregnant to her oafish husband Earl played by Joe Tippett who in real life is engaged to this movies star Sara Bareilles.
Becky describes Earl well in the show when he is displaying his name tattooed across his chest . She says he's so dumb he needs the tattoo in case he forgets his name .
Jenna wants a better life for her baby but gets involved with her gynaecologist Dr Pomatter played by Drew Gehling.
This further complicates her goal to enter and win first prize in a pie baking contest to escape her marriage.
Special mention to a great supporting male performance in Waitress by Christopher Fitzgerald who plays Ogie the awkward very odd but kind suitor of Dawn Pinkett .
He steals the show with his two comedy numbers You're Never Getting Rid of Me and I Love You Like A Table.
He was in the original Broadway cast and it must have stopped the show live.
I must mention this is not a film version of a Broadway musical it's a film of a special revival stage performance with a live audience in a theatre so I think I would have enjoyed it more watching the live performance.
I wish all the great Broadway shows of the past could have been filmed in the quality that Waitress has . Luckily one was preserved the original restoration version of the 1943 groundbreaking Rogers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma can be viewed on YouTube it truly is stunning.
Summing up as a musical average but very entertaining with a very talented cast worth seeing, yes definitely.