The last review is a little harsh. I thought it was a decent portrayal of what an injured soldier goes through after getting home. It's not a 2 hour movie so it cant portray everything. In the short hour I think it captured the struggle fairly well. I think that is what's good about the Street, it is about redemption and forgiveness within imperfections. So what if it had a "happy ending" everyone knows there will still be trials and tribulations to follow.
2 Reviews
A great concept marred by poor writing and schmultz
jfdesign29 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Oh dear, it seems that the credit crunch has affected the standards of writing for this once realistic show. I don't know if this series is trying to make up for the far more depressing second series, but it now seems that people are struggling to come to hasty conclusions here.
Nick Calshaw is a solider who has returned home with a disfigurement. Obviously, Nick finds he is now ostracised in the local community, despite having wounds that could quite easily be treated with skin grafts (surgeons can rebuild people's noses just by using existing skin on the patient's face, look it up).
What struck me was the phone call that everyone receives; how can a solider phone home in a war zone? Surely this is a breach of secrecy, or misconduct?
Another element that struck me was the lack of support offered to Nick; Counsellors, physiotherapists, psychologists, therapy sessions, compensation, and if none of those were apparent, surely an appeal for unfair treatment from the TA? This would make a far more interesting story, one with several layers. It would also be more educational, as it would show the processes that a solider returning from Iraq would most likely receive.
The ending is absolutely ridiculous. Nick was depressed, he wanted to commit suicide, he tried to do this by jumping into a cab. But miraculously, he gets better and has his girlfriend coo over how there is beauty in everything, moments after she was coming to terms with how she was only attracted to Nick because he was good looking and nothing else. Oh, and guess what? The cab driver that got him to hospital...he was...wait for it...Muslim! Yea! bish bash bosh, love conquers all, good triumphs over evil, everything is amazing, the end! I was half expecting to hear ebony and ivory playing at Nick's wedding reception. I was actually expecting Nick not to have a wedding, as he was unemployed and missing the use of one hand.
Given the standard of most of the shows now, its just as well that the street is coming to an end. For really good writing, I suggest you see episode 2. :)
Nick Calshaw is a solider who has returned home with a disfigurement. Obviously, Nick finds he is now ostracised in the local community, despite having wounds that could quite easily be treated with skin grafts (surgeons can rebuild people's noses just by using existing skin on the patient's face, look it up).
What struck me was the phone call that everyone receives; how can a solider phone home in a war zone? Surely this is a breach of secrecy, or misconduct?
Another element that struck me was the lack of support offered to Nick; Counsellors, physiotherapists, psychologists, therapy sessions, compensation, and if none of those were apparent, surely an appeal for unfair treatment from the TA? This would make a far more interesting story, one with several layers. It would also be more educational, as it would show the processes that a solider returning from Iraq would most likely receive.
The ending is absolutely ridiculous. Nick was depressed, he wanted to commit suicide, he tried to do this by jumping into a cab. But miraculously, he gets better and has his girlfriend coo over how there is beauty in everything, moments after she was coming to terms with how she was only attracted to Nick because he was good looking and nothing else. Oh, and guess what? The cab driver that got him to hospital...he was...wait for it...Muslim! Yea! bish bash bosh, love conquers all, good triumphs over evil, everything is amazing, the end! I was half expecting to hear ebony and ivory playing at Nick's wedding reception. I was actually expecting Nick not to have a wedding, as he was unemployed and missing the use of one hand.
Given the standard of most of the shows now, its just as well that the street is coming to an end. For really good writing, I suggest you see episode 2. :)
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