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My Review- A Good Person streaming on Netflix My Rating 7/10

A Good Person starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman only had a very limited theatrical release before streaming on Netflix.

It's a well produced good movie but I feel that it could have been better if directed by someone other than its screenplay writer Zach Braff not every writer directs well .

It's worth watching for three great performances from Florence Pugh who plays Allison a drug addicted young woman living with incredible guilt, Morgan Freeman as Daniel an elderly recovering alcoholic with a decade of sobriety .

Daniel is the grandfather an now sole parent of Ryan a rebellious teenage girl played by Celeste O'Connor .

Ryan is grieving the loss of both parents in a fatal car crash when Allison was driving them home from a party.

We see Allison happily and mildly drunk in the first scenes then her involvement in the fatal car crash that kills her future brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jesse and Molly.

Allison sustains serious injuries and a year later after her physical pain has eased is totally addicted to Oxy Conton a synthetic opioid drug .

She now is dependent on the drug to take away the emotional pain and guilt of the accident that caused the breakup of her relationship with Nathan who is Daniel Morgan Freeman's son.

I found it a little puzzling that It's never really explained if Allison was drunk at the wheel or if as she insists that she just took her eyes off the wheel for a moment so it wasn't her fault ?

We see her giving a blood sample in hospital but then left guessing as to the result.

It would have added more dramatic impact for me if she had been intoxicated at the time of the accident because that would have explained more fully her extreme guilt .

I've seen many more dramatic alcohol and drug rehabilitation movies that portray the pain of addiction however I liked these characters.

My favourite part of this story is the relationship between Allison , Daniel and eventually Daniel's Granddaughter Ryan this trio of performances are splendid.

I also enjoyed the symbolism of Daniel's train set that represented the town he lives in and the various stages of his life with figurines that were set up to represent a better life than his real one.

Allison asks him why? " Daniel replies Cuz you get to play God?"

There's a lot about A Good Person I liked and I recommend it .

My Review- 'Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story' My Rating 6.5/10

Ryan Murphy's latest Crime anthology at times stretches credibility even beyond his realms of fantasy . Many of its so called facts have been widely disputed by the actual people people involved including Lyle and Erik Menendez from their separate prison cells .

As an entertainment I found The Lyle and Menendez story one dimensional and lacking impact although it's well acted .

Especially by the 2 main stars Cooper Koch as Eric and Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez.

Unlike the thrilling first series of Monsters which told the chilling story of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer the question of who the monster or monsters were is not answered in the Menendez story?

For me the Inconsistencies and lack of credibility started from the first episode when we see the murder of Kitty and Jose Menendez in graphic detail with a deafening barrage of gunshots that would have woken up every neighbour in a mile radius .

No spoilers but the murderers just take off from the murder scene from their parents mansion in their luxury car to try and establish an alibi.

Chloë Sevigny and Javier Bardem as the parents from hell Kitty and Jose Menendez didn't impress me at all .

I thought they played their roles in a melodramatic campy style that really lacked any room to understand or develop their characters in much detail.

I blame the script writers Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan who seem to place style over substance in this series .

Based on the actual crime and trials that sent the two brothers to separate prison life sentences for the brutal murder of their parents Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story a nine part series is puzzling to me ?

Why did Ryan Murphy portray the brothers as intimate lovers as this has been categorically denied not only by Lyle and Erik but many others.

Perhaps it was to appeal to his wide LGBTQ audience .

The most annoying characters in the series for me are investigative reporter Dominick Dunne played by a favourite actor of mine Nathan Lane and Leslie Abramson played by Ari Graynor they also both seem to play their roles in a campy stagy manner.

This series is obviously very popular I read it's the most popular series on Netflix but then I seem to read that about every new Netflix series these days .

I'm glad I watched it and I did enjoy parts of it but just wondered how a great director like Alfred Hitchcock would have presented this tragic and brutal chain of events?

My Review- The Critic In Cinemas from October 3 My Rating 10/10

I attended a preview of The Critic with only a hint about the delicious devilish plot from the trailer which reveals no spoilers as my review also wont .

Any cast that includes that stately homo of British theatre Sir Ian McKellen plus Gemma Arterton, Lesley Manville , Romola Garai, Ben Barnes and Mark Strong is reason enough to catch my interest.

If you love the theatre, great acting and a totally absorbing plot that keeps you in suspense then I'm sure you'll love The Critic.

It's a Faustian tale where every character is corrupted in one way or another either from selfishness or ill advised emotional entanglements.

The movie is beautifully set in London its 1937 when gay men were still cruelly hunted by Police then tried and imprisoned if caught with their reputations ruined for life just as Jimmy's Erskine's hero Oscar Wilde was in 1895.

Ian McKellen gives one of his finest performances in my opinion as Jimmy Erskine a venomous old theatrical Queen who is the head Drama Critic for The London Chronicle with the power of his pen to ruin careers and box office success.

His nocturnal sexual proclivities and acid tongue get him sacked from the Chronicle by the son of the man who employed him years ago .

David Brooke played by Mark Strong has taken over the paper after his father's death asking the critic to tone down his venomous comments especially in regard to a particular popular young actress who he admires called Nina Land .

Nina Land confronts Jimmy to find out why he is using his following to damage her career?

Nina beautifully played by Gemma Arterton asks for fairness as his constant nasty criticism is eroding her confidence on stage.

When Jimmy the Critic is caught up in scandal after he has written yet another vile spiteful appraisal of stage actress Nina Land's latest performance his boss David Brooke seizes the opportunity to sack the venomous critic.

The self seeking venomous Critic Jimmy Erskine sees an opportunity to retain his position at The Chronicle and devises a plan that involves the actress Nina Land who reluctantly agrees thereby becoming his accomplice in blackmailing his boss in an attempt to regain his position back at The Chronicle . In return for her part in his plan Jimmy Erskine promises Nina glowing notices from now on and all the adulation she can dream of .

Nina like Marguerite in Faust has sold her soul to the Devil and her actions have dire consequences for all concerned.

I don't often give movies a perfect score but I couldn't find fault with the script by Patrick Marber based on a novel by Anthony Quinn titled Curtain Call .

Patrick Marber also wrote the wonderful Notes on a Scandal in 2006 and Closer in 2004 two movies I also love.

The Director of The Critic Anand Tucker a BAFTA winner for Girl with a Pearl Earring 2003 has skilfully directed a dream cast.

I often comment that a dream cast is no guarantee of a great movie unless all the other ingredients are in place as for me they are in The Critic.

I must mention the wonderful supporting cast including Lesley Manville as Annabell Land the mother of Nina what a lovely gentle performance and Romola Garai as Cora the haughty daughter of the proprietor of The Chronicle and icy wife of artist Stephen Wiley played by handsome Ben Barnes.

Alfred Enoch is also excellent as Tom Turner who plays The Critic's loyal secretary and confidant.

All these characters are interesting and linked to each other emotionally like a cast of puppets with the puppet master Jimmy Erskine pulling their strings I really enjoyed this movie and thoroughly recommend it.

My Review Devils Streaming on SBS on Demand Series 1 My Rating 9/10

I found this series compelling plus and topical in today's changing economic climate. I thought it very very clever the way the team of screenplay writers have adapted the novel Diablo by author Guido Maria Brera to a thrilling television series combining some of the actual traumatic economic events of recent years with fictional outcomes and characters.

Adding to the reality of the fiction actual news footage is featured depicting major world financial events that have occurred over the last decade plus the politicians that were in power at the time .

The series stars Patrick Dempsey as Dominic Morgan the ruthless CEO of NYL a leading investment bank and famous Italian actor Alessandro Borghi as Massimo Ruggero his Head of Trading .

They both give totally convincing performances so much so that it's difficult at times to spot The Devil.

It's a story of corruption in high places on a Corporate level ,ambition at any cost, betrayal plus the consequences of Corporate greed that affects humanity and the environment on this ailing planet we call Earth .

The action, which kicks off in London then spreads to Italy, is set in 2011 (although the series does a masterful job of feeling like it could be happening right now.

While parts of Europe are dealing with a devastating financial crisis, the traders at NYL are making plenty of money

Devil's is a fast moving series that demands the viewers attention as it tends to flashback and forward in time.

With a superb ensemble cast that includes Laia Costa as an Argentinian-born hacktivist , Malachi Kirby as a brilliant student who gets a job at NYL; Harry Michell, Paul Chowdhry and Pia Mechler as 'The Pirates', Ruggero's trusted team; Kasia Smutniak as Dominic's wife; and Lars Mikkelsen as the leader of a counter-information platform.

I'm pleased to see the second series is now available as series one had a thrilling and unexpected conclusion.

Congratulations to Directors Nick Hurran and Jan Michelini plus the large team of screenwriters on an interesting thrilling and entertaining series.

My Review- It Ends With Us - in Cinemas now My Rating 6.5/10

I quite enjoyed It Ends With Us however I kept thinking throughout its overlong 130 minute duration that a woman director like Barbra Streisand would have handled the most important part of the story which is generational domestic violence far better than a male director.

When I read that Justin Baldoni who plays the violent husband Ryle Kincaid also directed the movie I realised why this movie is not as good as it could be .

I haven't read the novel by Colleen Hoover so can't compare it to the screenplay by Christy Hall but I suspect the movie has left out or taken a softly softly approach with one of the most serious issues of today domestic violence directed towards women who marry men with untreated anger issues.

The cast like so many movies today are all very impressive especially Blake Lively who plays Lily Bloom as an adult .

Also the convincing look alike who plays Lily Bloom as a young teenager Isabela Ferrer is very good n her role.

Young Lily witnesses the violent actions of her father towards her mother and first love Atlas Corrigan.

Later when adult Lily embarks on a new life to fulfil her dream of opening a boutique flower shop in Boston she meets Ryal Kincaid played by Justin Baldoni who is the brother of her best friend and business partner Allysa played by Jenny Slate .

Lily is reluctant at first respond to Ryal's persistent attempts to seduce her but you guessed it they eventually marry.

Along comes Lily's first love Atlas who also has opened his dream restaurant in Boston with the odd name of Root. Atlas played by Brandon Sklenar and Lily obviously still share deep affection for each other.

The couple share history together which we see in flashback when the plot exposes Lily's father as a violent father who inflicts near fatal injuries on young Atlas and sexually abuses Lily's mother Jenny Bloom .

We now know why Lily Bloom couldn't list 5 things she loved about her father at his funeral which are the first scenes in this movie.

Lily eventually marries Ryal after a brief courtship which in my opinion was at odds with the seriousness of the story .

The romantic glamorous chocolate box tinsel wrapped treatment in the first hour of the movie seemed to clash with the serious subject matter of the second hour.

I think it was due to poor editing and poor direction possibly because it was directed by the male star who played Lily Bloom's violent husband.

It's a fairly good movie to my mind that could have been much better if it had had a proven talented female director like Barbra Streisand who brilliantly directed the 1991 movie Prince of Tides , and the 1996 The Mirror Has Two Faces that all dealt with extremely complex emotional entanglements.

It a shame that the men that need to receive the message of this film probably will not be interested in seeing it.

My Review- Thelma in cinemas now My Rating 5/10

Warning spoiler

What a shame when the script and direction of a movie spoil the fine performances of the ensemble cast .

Thelma for me is what we used to refer to as a B grade feature movie .

Those were the days when cinemas could afford a few mediocre movies pre television because the industry was healthy and audiences were still flocking to cinemas.

Today with television streaming services showing some high quality mini series and telemovies the traditional movie industry will suffer and cinemas will suffer when audiences stay away from mediocre films like Thelma .

Billed as a comedy Thelma as far as I'm concerned is not funny and lacks any credibility.

I blame the script writer and director Josh Margolin whose story is basically about a 93 year old sweet lady who turns into a gun tot-ting granny vigilante on the hunt for a cyber criminal .

Thelma is a victim of cyber crime when Harvey played by Malcolm McDowell embezzles her of $10,000 by getting his nephew to impersonate her Grandson.

The most ridiculous part for me of this script when Thelma eventually rewards the criminal with a $500 gift I thought it just silly and in poor taste especially the gun issue.

June Squibb as Thelma gives a very nice performance as does 24 year old Fred Hechinger as her devoted Grandson Daniel.

We will soon see in Fred Hechinger in Gladiator 11 as Emperor Caracalla .

I really enjoyed their chemistry together it's a great pity the script by Josh Margolin didn't impress me at all as somewhere in this 98 minute movie there is a good storyline but once Thelma stole her friends gun and took off with her friend Ben's mobility scooter to get her money back my enthusiasm and interest began waning .

The Twelve

My Rating. 6/10

Streaming on Foxtel

While I enjoyed the performances in Series 2 of The Twelve I stand by my comments regarding Series One.

Once again I stuck with this overlong drawn out 8 part series that in my view fails on a number of counts that don't thankfully include the performances of some of Australia's finest actors .

The Twelve is based on a Belgian series of the same name De Twaalf, it will be interesting if I can track the Belgian version down to compare with this Australian version as I wasn't overly impressed by this effort.

The writers of the original Belgian series Bert Van Dael and Sanne Nuyens said in a Variety interview that their series was not based on a true story and was inspired by the previous Belgian government's attempt to eradicate the jury system .

The first series I thought was more effective in plot or the subplots that featured the 12 juror's backstory .

Series 2 is set in a Rural community when Brett Colby QC played well by Sam Neill and Meredith Nelson -Moore SC played by Frances O'Connor participate in a murder trial where the couple on trial are in a complex relationship that includes a young baby.

A wealthy farmer Bernice Price played by Kris McQuade is found dead at the bottom of a well . As circumstances and motives develop her daughter Sacha played by Amy Mathew's and her lover Patrick are accused of plotting to murder Bernice .

As in series one there were to many improbable twists and turns that I can't mention as I don't like spoilers.

Series One was more enjoyable for me because the focus was more on the stories of the members of the jury rather than the crime .

This series was more about the crime than the jury members and neither kept my interest.

Sam Neill fans I think will enjoy The Twelve it's well produced well acted but for me fails in the storyline.

My Review- Rebus Streaming on SBS on Demand

My Rating 810

I hope there will be a second series of Rebus as I really enjoyed the first series which is based on Ian Rankin's best selling novels concerning Detective sergeant later Inspector Rebus described as a hardboiled Edinburgh cop.

I liked this tough but vulnerable character played by Richard Rankin who regrets the recent breakup of his family and the resulting divorce from his ex wife Rhona .

Now Mrs Rhona Moncrieffe they maintain a good even affectionate relationship together as John Rebus is a good father to their daughter Samantha.

However Rebus is constantly reminded of his failures and inadequacies by the wealthy success and vastly improved lifestyle of Rhona and his young daughter Samantha provided by Rhona's new husband Locke played Nick Rhys.

The action of the story increases dramatically when John Rebus is drawn into Edinburgh's criminal underbelly when investigating what appears to be a fued between two rival families that are suspected to be involved in drug and human trafficking.

Rebus also has a difficult relationship with his brother Michael a returned soldier who like his brother saw service in Afghanistan .

Michael and his family appear to be going through difficult financial woes and like many returned veterans feel ignored and neglected. Michael seeks a way out of his financial problems that brings him into a dangerous conflict with his brother John.

I enjoyed the different story threads and characters in Rebus performed by an excellent ensemble cast that includes Amy Manson as Rhona , Brian Ferguson who plays Michael Rebus and Stuart Bowman plays Ger Cafferty a dangerous Edinburgh gangster who has violent history with John Rebus.

I recommend this 6 part series well written and adapted to television by Gregory Burke and skilfully directed by Niall MacCormick and Fiona Walton it left me wanting more .

I recommend subtitles as the Edinburgh accents at times are a little difficult to understand.

My Review - Midas Man In Cinemas now My Rating 8/10

It's been a little while since any movie showing at the Cinema has caught my attention enough to make the effort of going to see it on the big screen.

Midas Man certainly was worth the effort I found it entertaining surprisingly moving and so well written, directed and acted .

This story depicts the early meteoric rise to fame of the Beatles known as the Fab Four from Liverpool with an emphasis on Brian Epstein their first Manager who saw something in this now legendary group of musicians that no one else could see .

If Brian Epstein had not managed ,groomed and promoted The Beatles they probably would have gone unnoticed .

Epstein not only introduced the Beatles to the world as well as Cilla Black , Gerry and the Pacemakers and many more performers. Epstein also helped put their U. K. hometown Liverpool on the World map by introducing The Mersey Sound which heralded in the 1960's that influenced changing musical tastes and fashion forever.

Unlike Elvis Presley's manipulative manager Colonel Tom Parker Brian Epstein kept his promise to John Lennon when he said if I manage this group you won't find anyone else in the business who would devote more time or effort to make the Beatles the most famous band on earth.

Brian Epstein is played so well by Jacob Fortune -Lloyd a fine actor who manages to capture the emotional turmoil that plagued Brian Epstein who had to hide his homosexuality at a time when gay men lived daily with the prospect of imprisonment and blackmail .

His public professional persona was of a successful eventually very wealthy promoter and entrepreneur but his private life was at times chaotic and dangerous eventually leading to his premature death at only 32 years old .

This is a very interesting movie I enjoyed the theatrical technique of breaking the fourth wall when Epstein occasionally talks to the audience it's very effective in this instance.

I also enjoyed the performances of the supporting cast that includes Emily Watson who plays Malka Epstein ,Brian's protective and supportive mother and Eddie Marsan as Harry the father that Brian Epstein longed for approval and acceptance but never really received.

Jonah Lees is very impressive as John Lennon he has some great scenes as does Darci Shaw as Cilla Black and Blake Richardson as Paul McCartney.

Congratulations to Director Joe Stephenson and writers Brigit Grant and Jonathan Wakeham on creating such an interesting and entertaining movie .

The timeframe of this movie takes place over only six years from Brian Epstein first discovering the Beatles in 1961 minus Ringo in the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool to the groundbreaking Beatles " Our World " first live Satellite performance on June 25th 1967 which reached over 400 million viewers across 25 countries.

Six months later Brian Epstein tragically was found dead but he certainly did keep his promise and loyalty to The Beatles who by then had eclipsed Elvis Presley's fame and their legacy stands today with a song book of hits that have been performed by every great singing artist from a time when music and lyrics came first and live performers performed without gimmicks cgi or lip syncing.

I'll be interested in seeing the upcoming Sam Mendes Beatles biopic which apparently has the rights to use more of the Beatles music than Midas Man was able to feature but as the emphasis is on Brian Epstein the man it doesn't matter.

My Review- The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare My Rating 6.5 /10

I expected a more serious movie treatment as this story is based on real World War 2 events that were revealed only in recent years when Churchill's secret war diaries were released to the public.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is Based on a novel by Damien Lewis ,not the actor and Directed by Guy Ritchie with a screenplay by Paul Tamasy .

Universe I like my friends description of this film he thought it an entertaining popcorn movie and I agree however for me the steam punk soundtrack and the macho bromance dialogue trivialised a very interesting serious war operation.

Henry Cavill plays Gus March-Phillips a swashbuckling bearded mercenary who heads a team of talented macho Nazi haters on an unauthorised raid to blow up a German U boat .

The British Prime Minister of the time Winston Churchill indirectly launched the daring Operation Postmaster hoping to turn the tide on Hitler's advance in Europe.

The raid was an unsanctioned, unauthorised, and unofficial suicide mission. Orchestrated by Brigadier Colin Gubbins and Lieutenant Commander Ian Fleming, Some say author Ian Fleming partly based his famous character O07 James Bond on the character that Henry Cavill plays in this movie .

I had the impression that Henry C may have been auditioning to win the coveted role of 007 but the black beard didn't suit him at all.

Ian Fleming played by Freddie Fox even introduces himself in the movie just as "Fleming Ian Fleming." This is a nod to his fictional hero James Bond who, in many of the films in which he appears, introduces himself as "Bond. James Bond."

This movie in summing up for me is an adventurous romp that doesn't quite work for me one surprising criticism I make as I usually enjoy Rory Kinnear's acting but his interpretation or impression of Churchill really annoyed me and his prosthetic make up made him look more like a rubbery puppet than a Prime Minister trying to turn the tide on what looked like a desperate situation for Europe.

My Review-

Lost Boys & Fairies Streaming on Stan My score. 9:10

It's so refreshing these days to see credible authentic LGBTQ characters and meaningful stories that should appeal to anyone with a heart and soul on mainstream television.

This is a contemporary family story beautifully directed and performed which would have been impossible to tell a few decades ago.

Why ? Because the concept of two men in a loving relationship being legally able to adopt a child let alone be considered a family by society would have stretched fantasy beyond anything that Walt Disney could imagine.

Gabriel a popular drag club performer played to perfection by Welsh actor Sion Daniel Young and his more reserved partner of eight years Andy played with equal charm by Irish actor Fra Fee want to add to their family and consider adopting a child.

They meet Jackie their Social Worker played delightfully by Elizabeth Berrington who is fully in their corner but warns them about the vetting process and what they're up against. It's not simple and very exhausting and far more complex than choosing a pet .

This 3 part series moves along at great pace I wanted more episodes I was enjoying it so much .

Gabriel and Andy go through the emotional process of realising that choices have consequences in relationships .

Especially for Andy especially who is confronted with his excessive drug use and his own early childhood trauma at losing his mother and being raised by a homophobic father.

The couple think they would be more suited to adopt a daughter but when they turn up with their advocate Jackie for the interview process along with other applicants they are won over by Jake a foster child who has been removed from a violent father.

As the series moves on Gabriel and Andy's views on adopting Jake begin to differ especially when Gabriel's dysfunctional behaviour creates pressure on their relationship.

Gabriel a lost boy himself is determined to adopt Jake even without the support of Andy this leads to a dramatic conclusion.

Leo Harris who plays the irascible but charismatic young Jake must be applauded for one of the best juvenile performances in recent years.

Lost Boys & Fairies directed by James Kent and written by Daf James is a must see for all mature adults.

The music is absolutely fabulous the mood while dealing with serious contemporary issues is at times light and very humorous.

I was reminded of the classic 1998 Torch Song Trilogy similar story without the New York Jewish character..

My Review-

The Tattooist of Auschwitz Streaming on Stan My Rating 8/10

I really had to brace myself to watch The Tatooist of Auschwitz as after last years great but harrowing movie The Zone of Interest which presented the rare scenario of an Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his family living a seemingly ideal and callous existence in a house and garden next door to the concentration camp.

I heard Barbra Streisand's beautiful new recording of the song heard at the end credits titled Love Will Survive and wondered how could you portray a love story in the hell hole that was the Auschwitz - Birkenau concentration camp .

This story could have taken place while the German family of Commandant Rudolph Hoss depicted in The Zone of Interest were playing with their children in their garden while smoke billowed from the crematorium next door?

This series is set in 2 very different locations it begins in Melbourne when Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner who was tasked with tattooing ID numbers on prisoners' arms in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War 2 commenced retelling his powerful and terrifying story to an aspiring New Zealand author Heather Morris .

The contrast in mood is startling between the now very elderly Holocaust survivor played brilliantly and with incredible sensitivity by Harvey Keitel .

In flashback we return to the horror and filth of Aushwitz to Lali as a young man trying to survive the hell of his existence.

I could understand why he took on the hideous task of tattooing the incoming inmates when offered better conditions by the commandant of the camp.

Young Lali is played by Jonah Hauer-King a Jewish actor who I last saw playing The Prince in Disney's The Little Mermaid, you couldn't get a greater contrast in roles than that .

Jonah Hauer-King deserves an Emmy nomination for his superb performance as Lalo Sokolov a 25 year old man who falls in love with Gita a young woman he meets in the camp under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

Either of the lovers could be sentenced to death at any time but they both have an incredible will to survive their hell on earth.

Anna Próchniak is also wonderful as Gita Furmanova and the onscreen chemistry between these 2 tragic lovers is emotionally intense and very moving.

My conclusion at the end of this powerful and intense viewing experience was that I was glad I saw it and while there were some unexplained or hard to believe plot twists the story while impossible to be called a romance was certainly a love story .

Jonas Nay gives another standout performance in this series playing the mentally unstable Nazi commandant Stefan Baretzki who assists Lali to meet with Gita and in some strange way regards Lali as his brother.

I couldn't help wonder what the real Lali Sokolov if he were alive today would think of the horror and incredible loss of lives from that the State of Israel is inflecting on their neighbours on the Gaza Strip .

My Review- Presumed Innocent Streaming on Apple + My Rating 9/10

Jake Gyllenhaal gives a sensational and mesmerising performance as attorney Rusty Sabich in Presumed Innocent .

Right from the very first episode of this 8 part courtroom thriller to the unexpected and shocking conclusion.

In episode one Rusty presents his defence to the jury in a brutal murder trial of a woman work colleague to consider their verdict?

The last thrilling instalment titled The Verdict bookends with Rusty defending himself but by then the viewer is not sure who murdered Carolyn Polhemus ?

There are many motives and many suspects but attorney Rusty Sabich who we discover had an intimate relationship with the murder victim remains the prime suspect even with the absence of much evidence.

This series inspired by Scott Turow's 1987 best selling courtroom thriller, Presumed Innocent .

Multi-Emmy Award winner David E. Kelley's screenplay explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.

Three other standout performances for me in this series are from Ruth Negga as Rusty's wife and mother of his 2 children . She gives an emotionally charged characterisation of a woman who is faced with the realisation that her husband had not only cheated on her but is now prime suspect in the murder of the woman he was involved with.

The other great performance among this impressive ensemble comes from Peter Sarsgaard who plays Tommy Molto who detests Rusty and does everything in his power to achieve a conviction against his work colleague.

Bill Camp is also excellent as Rusty Sabich's loyal friend and colleague who takes on the daunting task of defending a man who increasingly seems to incriminate himself.

This series for me held my interest to the very end and the two directors Greg Yaitanes and Anne Sewitsky have helped create a series worthy of the impressive cast that brings it to the screen.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.