Mix Tape

I really enjoyed this series, acting was really good, storyline was suprpsing not only about love story of Alison and Dan. I just couldn't accept that adult Alison was playing Teresa Palmer, all this time I could see Lily James as the older version. Nevertheless she was good just didn't match with her younger self. Jim Sturgess as always shines on the screen, young actors are amazing. Music is great however I missed having more of it. I was thinking it will be in the centre of the story as the title suggests, I simply didn't have enough of it as it was really great one, it transported me to my youth.

This is the best limited series I have seen for many years. In fact it is a high quality movie presented in four parts. The story is interesting, but it's execution is what makes this show a 10.

The screenplay is superb. It's best moments are when the story is hinted at, not spoon fed to us - the writers treat the audience with respect.

The direction is also a standout, again using understatement to make greater emotional impact. The use of flashbacks and current timelines is fluid and never misses a beat. Again presented to allow the audience to draw their own conclusions & interpretations.

And the acting.....fantastic! Every role was so perfectly cast and they all delivered. In particular the young & old Daniel & Alison. All four were superb, but I must single out Florence Hunt who played the young Alison. To me her convincing performance set up the story so well.

And last but not least, the Music. Used to perfection and ensured my emotions bubbled over, especially in the last episode. Well done to all on a most memorable viewing experience. Thank you.

Promising start has boy meeting girl from the wrong side of the tracks, developing an emotionally deep connection until a tragedy forces them apart without warning. A quarter of a century later he tracks her down to learn the cause of their premature separation, and serendipity takes care of the rest.

Sturgess plays the adult version of his character well, a sensitive man whose apparently uncomplicated attitude to life is at odds with his more ambitious wife (Soulie). I thought their restaurant scene in the final episode seemed tragically realistic, probably the dramatic highlight of the series.

On the other side of the globe, a grown-up girl (Palmer) doesn't really resemble her younger self (Hunt) sufficiently to be convincing, her matrimonial issues providing a convenient opportunity to rekindle the relationship she abandoned decades earlier for reasons revealed in due course.

There's some nice touches, and I felt the series worked best when it was situated in late 80's Sheffield as the youngsters navigate their deepening feelings amid the girl's exigent social constraints. Conversely, the modern day reunification appeared too contrived, and there seemed to be some glaring plot inconsistencies in which the script didn't match what the characters knew or had said before. Also, the decision to age the boy's parents for the modern-day scenes (using makeup instead of employing older actors) was dubious in my opinion, neither actor appearing old enough for their modern day version.

A cliched, neat conclusion is superficially satisfying, but it was difficult to feel genuine sympathy for the adult central characters, the significant collateral damage they inflict on their respective families by attempting to revive their adolescent love seemed more selfish than sincere, failing to strike the right chord.

Mostly light entertainment occasionally pushes populist social themes and is not immune from tokenism, though fortunately the dog whistling can be ignored, the overall result satisfactory without being as profound as it might've hoped to be. Sturgess, Soulie and Hunt are the highlights whilst gangly Walton-Smith as the younger male protagonist, shows great potential in this bittersweet coming of age romantic drama.

We knew nothing about this going in, other than 'you never forget the boy who makes you your first mixtape'. Enjoyed the short series so much, perfect weekend watch. The songs are perhaps more suited to UK watchers, but they were well chosen and took us back. Great casting! The young actors had us believing they were smitten, and the chemistry carried across to the adult counterparts. Only one actor seemed like he was acting, otherwise the characters were believable and a little relatable. Gen X watchers should enjoy this.

Not sure why there are a smattering of low ratings, but most romances have them, not sure if someone is making them watch against their will, but if you've watched the ad, you should know what you're in for, and it's some high quality, well scripted, well acted entertainment. It's not going to change your life, but it will make you smile and hum along, and entertain you for four hours. Might even watch again!

My Review - Mixtape Streaming on Foxtel My Rating 8:10

This entertaining and romantic 4 part series set in 1989 Sheffield and Sydney is a production partnership between Ireland and Australia starring Jim Sturgess and Teresa Palmer .

It's a charming old fashioned sliding doors romance where two young lovers through traumatic events separate or escape to different continents and marry different partners .

Young Daniel played by Rory Walton-Smith and young Alison played by Florence Hunt meet in 1989 Sheffield and fall in love as teenagers before life takes them in different directions.

Daniel is left wondering why Alison just packs up and leaves Sheffield without any explanation at all Years later he discovers Alison is a very successful author living in Sydney now married to a doctor with a teenage daughter of her own.

Daniel reconnects with Alison through social media and both begin to wonder if they were meant to be with each other rather than remain in problematical marriages.

They both share the musical memories which were the soundtrack of their romance .

I thoroughly enjoyed Mixtape it's romantic touching and it's really nice to watch a four part series that's not violent or over sexualised with really likeable characters.

Top marks to Director Lucy Gaffy and Jo Spain the screenplay writer they have created a relatable and charming contemporary love story .