Upright

I'll start by confessing that Tim Minchin has done nothing. NOTHING for me in his fairly long and, largely, highly succesful career, so when it was suggested I watch this I doubted I'd get past episode one.

How wrong could I have been?

By the end of episode eight, binged in two days, the tears rolled down my cheeks.

It's bawdy, ballsy, rude, ridiculous, hilarious, breathtaking, touching, sincere and is based on a largely unpredictable storyline that twists and turns like a Tasmanian Devil.

It also features a stand out, frankly equal footing, performance by 19 year old Australian actress, Milly Alcock, remember that name, she's the next Margot Robbie.

A truly excellent TV series, right up there with Succession, Fleabag and Chernobyl as my favourites of 2019.

I have never taken the time to write a review for a show. But this one truly touched me. I'm in the U.S. and was able to see it and its sad to think that I could have missed it. Milly blew my mind with her performance, for someone her age to project such a range of emotions it was just incredible, She has such a bright future. And Tim, I expected good, but damn. Excellent job sir, an amazingly complex character that you couldn't help but love. The two of you are an excellent duo. Thank you.

The road movie is a rich and often mined creative seam. Think Easyrider, Thelma and Louise and even Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in African Queen. In Upright we have the classic formula of two misfits with different and sometimes competing agendas thrown together. While this could easily have descended into cliché, this is far from the case here. Tim MInchin, is brilliant and moving in portraying a character falling apart psychologically as he endeavours to face his demons. Milly Alcock is a mini powerhouse of kickass attitude whose drive and stickability as she warms to the task of ensuring the piano reaches its goal is both endearing and poignant. The final episode is moving but not in a maudlin way as it draws together the points that have been alluded to by means of flashbacks throughout the earlier scenes. The metaphor occupied by the piano as the central point of the series is a brilliant piece of writing. Some of the scenes, without giving too much away, for example the horse being replaced by the piano in the horse box, is priceless. R H Young (Dhanmondi Road 2019)

This is how you make a tv show. Equally meaningful seriousness, yet potentially Minimal budget.

I've known of Tim Minchin for a long time, about half my life. I've understood his comedy, his music, and his teachings / very educated opinions and observations, and this show is the epitome, the peak of all things perfect about him.

The comedy is his hard hitting dark humour, with gritty realism of a struggling man at his lowest point of his life.

All I can say is this is going to be by far one of the most underrated shows. I can only hope this show blows up to unfathomable levels. I want everyone talking about it.

This series is simply sublime. Not only does it have a unique ability to keep the audience enthralled whilst only revealing small snippets of information of the characters lives like peeling back layers from an onion, it manages to do it in such a uniquely, stunningly, at times comedic and at other times devastating way. This series will leave an indelible mark on anyone who watches it. It is raw, clever, artistic, intelligent, funny, pure, beautiful, imaginative and real. I have to say it is one of my favourite Television series of all time. I can't even see an Ad for it it without smiling and becoming moved by it. Let's hope that Tim Minchin and everyone involved continue to act in Australia and make more wonderful series like this in Australia. Well done to Foxtel for funding this! This is something to be proud of! Thank you so much for giving us all this series to enjoy!