User Reviews

I really looked forward to this sequel to the brilliant series 'A Very Peculiar Practice'. Maybe switching the main action to Poland was a mistake. Out of the university atmosphere, the characters weren't as amusing, though Peter Davison and David Troughton put in strong performances. Good as a stand-alone TV-movie for those who've never seen the series, though.

This film is the sequence to the two television series of a Very Peculiar Practice. To appreciate this film you really need to see the two television series first. It offers a brilliant surreal insight into several aspects of the political and economic reformation of the late C20th. A process which is still making its profound albeit very mixed impact felt in the UK and Europe. I consider it one of the finest BBC productions on a par with "This Life" or "Nice Work" or "The History Man". Surreal and humorous certainly but it often rings true even today. The surreal presence of two nuns throughout the series continues with a greater resonance in this sequel. Joanna Kanska, Peter Davison, Graham Crowden, Barbara Flynn and David Troughton all produced fine characterisations amongst many.

Excellent to see the character development of Dr Stephen Daker (Peter Davison) continuing, and increasingly confident following the events of the last season of "A Very Peculiar Practice".

This TV film misses Rose Marie (Barbara Flynn) but her character was pretty much played out in the University stories already, whilst Bob Buzzard proves surprisingly versatile in the new setting. Altogether a nice, witty conclusion, perhaps slightly melancholy and not as surreal but with the added bonus of telling its story in a mere movie-length instead of over an entire season.

As always the acting from the main and guest cast is excellent. Joanna Kanska is now reportedly (according to "where are they now?") acting as receptionist to Michael Winner but I find that hard to believe as she's still acting.

On the basis of her early BBC roles, deservedly so! Peter Davison and David Troughton, both TV and stage veterans, spark amusingly off each other in this, as they have in their other productions together. See it if you can, but see the TV series first.

Despite the obvious attractions of Johanna Kanska, who is as outrageously gorgeous as ever, this is a real let down after the sagas of Lowlands University. Low on satire, very low on fun. I was waiting for it to end for at least half an hour.