The Best Man

4 Aug 2007 : Suspense and intrigue abound in this cleverly written and directed mystery surrounding three disturbing interconnected key characters portrayed by very appealing male (2) and female (1) actors. Excellent opening maintaining non stop interest where nothing is obvious and second-guessing is (fortunately) futile. The boys' childhood friendship sets up the dramatic opening into adulthood with recurring flashbacks - an essential criterion in support of its splendid dramatic premise. Will not give anything away as it is an enjoyable ride from start to finish (pending) and a delight as the complexities unfold and gain momentum. Thoroughly enjoyed part one – part two awaited – where the writers have given intelligence to these otherwise flawed personalities of troubled character. Ten out of ten. PS: The ending is sure to deliver possibly exceed expectations with more likely surprises and twists ahead – if not … that would be the biggest surprise!

This is in my opinion the best original TV drama that ITV has had to offer in a very long time.

The choice of some new (to ITV) faces was also a good choice. Richard Coyle, best know as Jeff in Coupling, played a very convincing Mike, a man haunted by his past and part of a complicated friendship with Pete, played by Toby Stephens, who plays an incredibly good, dominant, calculating and seemingly evil side of the pair. Add Keeley Hawes as the love interest and you have a very competent cast.

The story is very involved and has you guessing and second-guessing the whole way through. The clever use of flash-backs to slowly reveal the past between Pete & Mike paints the picture in your head but does not prepare you for any twists and turns in the plot and pleasingly the ending is not totally predictable. There are parallels in the story and bits that remind you of other things you have seen, but on the whole it is original.

I was drawn to watch The Best Man because of who i starred and it was very interesting to see Coyle and Stephens in more realistic roles than they would usually play. But I have to commend ITV and the production on this occasion for making a TV drama which didn't star Robson Greene or Julie Walters!! (No offence to them - there just seems to be an oligopoly of Brit actors who hold ITV TV dramas to ransom and i am glad that ITV have fought them!