Ladies in Black

Perhaps I wanted more from this series than it could deliver, perhaps I wanted the film to continue into the TV series, whatever, but this just misses, at every possible mark.

The layout of the store doesn't make me believe in it; The re-imagination of the characters doesn't make me believe in them.

The appalling continuity errors in the first episode made me not believe in it.

I tried, seriously I did. I got through episode 1, I got 8 minutes into episode 2 and just went: "I can't do this". Go right ahead and try and make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. It'll still be a sow's ear, and that's what this show is.

Do yourself the favour. Miss it. Go back and watch the film.

As someone who watched the 2018 film and enjoyed it... This version in my opinion is really not it.

The 600 characters writing this are sad that this review has to exist. The only interesting thing was cinematography and the stunning shots of the store and the set pieces.

But I feel like even though the movie was in 2018, the decision to make a series 4-ish years on was a rushed one and sometimes it really shows.

It feels slow, characters are wooden and it's just really hard to like. But there are actors who you know and you're like "omg is that?" and yes it is!

Miranda Otto plays Virgina Ambrose brilliantly and is the one of many shining lights in the disappointment of the series.

I enjoyed this series. Debi Mazar is mesmerising as Magda, playing against type and she nails it. Miranda Otto gives a brilliant nuanced performance. Some of the other characters are a little wooden. It's a fascinating glimpse into 1960's Australian life. The running of the department store, University life and the migrant experience are well portrayed. The fashions were enjoyable however I'm glad we've moved on. The music score worked well. Overall it's a lighthearted series however we feel Magda's angst. It's interesting to be reminded of a the restrictions of a woman's lot and the burden on men to provide in those times. This is handled well and not rammed down the audiences throat.

If you haven't watched the movie then you will love this series. This shouldn't be compared to the other versions. It should be reviewed based on its standalone story.

Loved this show, it was entertaining and light but still left me with food for thought in terms of culture and how it changes. I do wish there had been even more visuals of the fashions of that time period, just the gowns wasn't enough for me. Music in the series was from a mix of different eras, however, still managed to capture the right mood for the moments.

The acting all around was great and Miranda Otto took the cake.

I really hope they do a follow up season introducing some new characters and stories to get behind.

This is a period piece if you don't like period pieces you will hate it. This drama is set at the beginning of the 60s and you can see the mind set in many of these people. This shows how minds are being changed from very narrow to more worldly. If you liked other period pieces from down under you will like this series. It reminds me of the "The Doctor Blake Mysteries" series in many ways. The language and mannerisms are well done and the "Sexual" problems are well dealt with. A pushy supervisor is dealt with as a simple firing when today they would be arrested and a large settlement would happen. All in all not a bad piece and the next "year" should be better.