Review - Us (a BBC1 TV show)
Image source: Radio Times
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
A BBC1 TV drama.
Four episodes from 20 September 2020.
Screenwriter is David Nicholls, the author of the best selling novel 'Us' (2014).
A Drama/Relationships/Romance category.
OVERVIEW
Douglas's life is about to take an unexpected turn after his wife, Connie reveals her wish to separate.
Middle-aged now, though Douglas had always demonstrated narcissistic tendencies, and Connie had loved and admired his scientific mind and his obssession for facts in the early years, but in the process of raising their son (Albie), Connie had become exasperated by Douglas's failings to emotionally connect. She still loved Douglas, but as far as him being a rest-of-her-life partner she'd reached a point of no return in that regard.
Despite all of this the trio of Peterson's decided to go ahead with a pre-booked, summer European tour, before Albie's impending departure from the family home to study art. Douglas is deeply hurt and hopes to pull things round, Connie suggests that they see how it goes.
While Douglas is sticking rigidly to his itinary, unaware that he is disappointing Connie and irritating Albie, they arrive in Amsterdam after their first-stop, Paris.
The present day happenings switch back and forth to Douglas's memories of his and Connie's shared past. His mind wanders to their first meeting at a dinner and Connie is there with her bohemian friends. Douglas is unimpressed; his nerdy ways surfacing. He hadn't really seen it before, but he is realising that Connie's love for him was a case of 'opposites attract' in the early days. More flashbacks from Douglas's first person narrative reveal their young life as lovers; Connie's tender wedding day speech, and a first pregnancy.
Also revealed is the two, struck down by grief after the tragic loss of Jane, a baby daughter. Connie loses her sense of self and Douglas is supportive but completely broken inside. After the birth of Albie, the bond between mother and son is impenetrable, whereas Douglas sits on the outside incapable of showing any interest in Albie, or possessing any desire to encourage his son as he grows up.
Chronologically, back to the present day story telling and a gathering storm is brewing, and sure enough, in a cafe some guys are disrespectful to Albie's vivacious busker girlfriend (who had followed him to Amsterdam). Albie's temper immediately flashes and he reacts, but Douglas diffuses the situation simply by apologising for Albie's 'stupidy'. This public humiliation by his father is the last straw for Albie and he takes off leaving the parents a letter expressing his sad disappointment. Connie and Douglas are resigned to cutting short the trip. At the last minute, however, Douglas sees a way to right his wrongs and to bring the family together. He's going to carry on with the tour hoping to intercept Albie. In the meantime Connie returns home. They'll stay in touch by phone.
Prior to father and son reconciling in Barcelona, Douglas has the odd adventure/misadventure. He's makes a new female aquaintance, has a chance meeting which turns out to be crucial, and a run-in with the law. After catching up with Albie, saying sorry, and moving on together to a final destination, Douglas has a massive health scare! All of which leaves Douglas deeply reflective and enables a slow coming to terms with his new reality.
On their return home, Douglas and Connie are seeing Albie off to college at the train station. Back in their marital home and there's no regrets for what has been. They take to bed to be intimate one last time. Afterwhich, the days that follow the couple sift through their possessions, they box up the past and go their separate ways.
Comment
The structure of this is a double movement. Away from the couple's first encounter and their demonstrative affection for one another in their younger days, there's a sad irony hanging over the whole thing that this relationship (once Albie has left for college) is doomed. Connie does not want to live the rest of her life with Douglas anymore. She makes it clear from the start.
We are wondering what impact the twists in Douglas's behaviour, good and bad, are having on Connie and Albie throughout this watch. Douglas's intentions for the best part are good and there's a hope that all is well at the end.
However, as far as Connie goes there's too much water under the bridge and her mind is made up. A reminder that this is a work of fiction, because, surely, such amicable parting of the ways could not be acheived in real life! What we really see is some deeply touching father and son tenderness. It's a tear jerker for sure.
Tom Hollander is tops for portraying flawed characters, like Douglas, who have their heart in the right place. Hollander's performance is a balance of the dramatic with the comedic in equal measures. Once again, the acting versatility of Saskia Reeves (Connie) is apparent, and Tom Taylor is a strikingly good, Albie.
Nicholls includes many places of interest during his three character's whirlwind tour of European cities. He also tells a heartwarming story very well. Cleverly, as his characters experience things, the viewer engages empathically and nostalgically too. He exposes a witty inner dialogue, which is very entertaining. Hollander and the director, Geoffrey Sax have not missed a trick to bring Nicholl's fine blend of storytelling to the fore.
**ENDS**
Review by critic, Debra Hall
Four episodes from 20 September 2020.
Screenwriter is David Nicholls, the author of the best selling novel 'Us' (2014).
A Drama/Relationships/Romance category.
OVERVIEW
Douglas's life is about to take an unexpected turn after his wife, Connie reveals her wish to separate.
Middle-aged now, though Douglas had always demonstrated narcissistic tendencies, and Connie had loved and admired his scientific mind and his obssession for facts in the early years, but in the process of raising their son (Albie), Connie had become exasperated by Douglas's failings to emotionally connect. She still loved Douglas, but as far as him being a rest-of-her-life partner she'd reached a point of no return in that regard.
Despite all of this the trio of Peterson's decided to go ahead with a pre-booked, summer European tour, before Albie's impending departure from the family home to study art. Douglas is deeply hurt and hopes to pull things round, Connie suggests that they see how it goes.
While Douglas is sticking rigidly to his itinary, unaware that he is disappointing Connie and irritating Albie, they arrive in Amsterdam after their first-stop, Paris.
The present day happenings switch back and forth to Douglas's memories of his and Connie's shared past. His mind wanders to their first meeting at a dinner and Connie is there with her bohemian friends. Douglas is unimpressed; his nerdy ways surfacing. He hadn't really seen it before, but he is realising that Connie's love for him was a case of 'opposites attract' in the early days. More flashbacks from Douglas's first person narrative reveal their young life as lovers; Connie's tender wedding day speech, and a first pregnancy.
Also revealed is the two, struck down by grief after the tragic loss of Jane, a baby daughter. Connie loses her sense of self and Douglas is supportive but completely broken inside. After the birth of Albie, the bond between mother and son is impenetrable, whereas Douglas sits on the outside incapable of showing any interest in Albie, or possessing any desire to encourage his son as he grows up.
Chronologically, back to the present day story telling and a gathering storm is brewing, and sure enough, in a cafe some guys are disrespectful to Albie's vivacious busker girlfriend (who had followed him to Amsterdam). Albie's temper immediately flashes and he reacts, but Douglas diffuses the situation simply by apologising for Albie's 'stupidy'. This public humiliation by his father is the last straw for Albie and he takes off leaving the parents a letter expressing his sad disappointment. Connie and Douglas are resigned to cutting short the trip. At the last minute, however, Douglas sees a way to right his wrongs and to bring the family together. He's going to carry on with the tour hoping to intercept Albie. In the meantime Connie returns home. They'll stay in touch by phone.
Prior to father and son reconciling in Barcelona, Douglas has the odd adventure/misadventure. He's makes a new female aquaintance, has a chance meeting which turns out to be crucial, and a run-in with the law. After catching up with Albie, saying sorry, and moving on together to a final destination, Douglas has a massive health scare! All of which leaves Douglas deeply reflective and enables a slow coming to terms with his new reality.
On their return home, Douglas and Connie are seeing Albie off to college at the train station. Back in their marital home and there's no regrets for what has been. They take to bed to be intimate one last time. Afterwhich, the days that follow the couple sift through their possessions, they box up the past and go their separate ways.
Comment
The structure of this is a double movement. Away from the couple's first encounter and their demonstrative affection for one another in their younger days, there's a sad irony hanging over the whole thing that this relationship (once Albie has left for college) is doomed. Connie does not want to live the rest of her life with Douglas anymore. She makes it clear from the start.
We are wondering what impact the twists in Douglas's behaviour, good and bad, are having on Connie and Albie throughout this watch. Douglas's intentions for the best part are good and there's a hope that all is well at the end.
However, as far as Connie goes there's too much water under the bridge and her mind is made up. A reminder that this is a work of fiction, because, surely, such amicable parting of the ways could not be acheived in real life! What we really see is some deeply touching father and son tenderness. It's a tear jerker for sure.
Tom Hollander is tops for portraying flawed characters, like Douglas, who have their heart in the right place. Hollander's performance is a balance of the dramatic with the comedic in equal measures. Once again, the acting versatility of Saskia Reeves (Connie) is apparent, and Tom Taylor is a strikingly good, Albie.
Nicholls includes many places of interest during his three character's whirlwind tour of European cities. He also tells a heartwarming story very well. Cleverly, as his characters experience things, the viewer engages empathically and nostalgically too. He exposes a witty inner dialogue, which is very entertaining. Hollander and the director, Geoffrey Sax have not missed a trick to bring Nicholl's fine blend of storytelling to the fore.
**ENDS**
Review by critic, Debra Hall
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