Whilst I understand some of the initial responses viewers seem to have had in regards to problems with chemistry, I urge any skeptic to stick with it.
Like many others, I tuned in for its delightfully charming cast - for Aimee, for Nabhaan, for Suranne, for Owen - it was hard to turn down when it popped up on iPlayer. I was not entirely sold on the first couple of episodes. It all felt a tad disjointed. I wasn't particularly sold on Evie and Noa's friendship, Suz seemed slightly annoying and Callum didn't look like he was going to be a very important character. So my hopes for this lovely little ensemble did quickly fade.
But boy am I glad I persisted, the next four episodes really developed into a beautiful, tenderly written exploration on so many things. Good things, things that are a delight to sit and watch on telly - romantic love, platonic love, sisterhood, motherhood, girlhood, being happy and overcoming mental health struggles. Somehow, tied in with all of that, there is room for it to be a brilliant celebration of cinema.
Aimee Lou Wood is as brilliant as ever. Nabhaan Rizwan was perfect casting - an impressive feat to play a character that is rather intentionally flat, a 'man of few words', with very little emotion and yet still leaving me so endeared to Noa. Suranne Jones plays a brilliant embarrassing, funny and self-consciously overbearing mum, whose bond with her daughters is painfully heartwarming. It was, of course, an exciting prospect to see Owen Cooper post-adolescence - he smashed it. Callum quickly became an unexpectedly touching part of the show, with his and Evie's friendship becoming just as important to the story as the rest of her relationships.
Liv Hill (Izzie), Adam Long (Josh) and Lisa McGrillis (Steph) were also a joy to watch, creating a lovely band of supporting characters in Evie's story.
All in all, I was too quick to judge. A heartwarming, lovely little few hours of telly with good writing and fantastic performances. Whilst not full of big laughs, the whole thing should definitely leave you smiling.
