I looked forward to this movie having watched every episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm and never laughed more. So when I knew he was essentially playing the same character I was optimistic. What a let down, he should have played it as a different character because what makes Larry David funny in CYE is that he is comfortable in the world of wealth and leisure where things annoy him. He has an air of authority which is continually undermined by his need to confront. The cast around him are excellent. As a poor man in Marthas Vineyard he has no credibility, you feel he wouldn't be tolerated as Larry David because he has no kudos, no Seinfeld behind him. The people around him are bland except for the fantastic J.B.Smoove maybe he should have included more of the original cast. It just didn't work for me even though I wanted it to. I'm still waiting for Season 9 of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Clear History
(2013 TV Movie)
A very disappointing movie from the master of comedy
30 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Happy Valley
(2014–2023)
By far the best series I've seen on TV this year
26 June 2014
I cannot praise this series enough. It has an air of realism about it from its location to the main actors. The lead sergeant Catherine Cawood and her sister are so ordinary, preoccupied with ordinary things, (no trendy,smarmy,clever middle class media interpretations of what ordinary people speak like dialog). Without exception every character is believable. With master classes in acting from the lead, her sister, her grandson and Tommy the maniac. The criminals are believably cruel and stupid in measure. The damaged and unfortunate are portrayed realistically but with compassion. No left wing idealism or right wing coldness that usually invades these type of program. The setting is the bleakest place I've ever seen, a beautiful English valley shrouded in mist, dampness and high rises. The streets and buildings are claustrophobic. Most of all the story is credible, consistent and finely paced. raw emotions are not avoided and dysfunction is everywhere. And yet there's something noble in sergeant Catherine Cawood.
Peaky Blinders
(2013–2022)
Good effort - could do better
1 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
It has been compared to Boardwalk Empire but that show knew how to follow through when a good ding-dong was required. This show kept walking up to the mark then retreating. Follow through and do something decisive that has consequences. The big showdown in the final episode, great build up then splat. It also had a Guy Ritchie vibe to it, which isn't a bad thing but then you realize how good his scripts are and how mediocre this script was, maybe that's a bit harsh, but it could have had a bit more pizazz, no need to be so sincere. Other than that great lead and atmosphere. I'm looking forward to the new series, especially with talk of Tom Hardy appearing in it. To hell with it, I'll change my 7 to an 8.
Quirke
(2013–2014)
Quirke fails to convince on many levels
27 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Beautifully shot and atmospheric, though the dark scenes get a bit tedious, good acting all round but the characters are wooden. The script is banal, nobody says anything insightful or cute. Inappropriate responses. In episode two the intimidation and murder in the first episode seems to be forgotten. The continuity is terrible you keep wondering "who is this character now", new characters pop into the episodes fully formed and you're sure you must have missed something previously. This all comes from trying to be too clever. And his daughter's assertion on finding out he's her dad "but I loved you Quirke" just dropped like a lead balloon. Really disappointing.
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