Me & Mrs Jones

Robson Green proves once again he's hard to resist - even if you're the British Prime Minister.

In "Me and Mrs. Jones," a reporter, Liam Marple, goes after a hot tabloid-type story on the standing Prime Minister (Caroline Goodall) as she awaits the upcoming election. He does this at the behest of his ex-girlfriend (Keeley Hawes). After forcing a friend to take him to a party, he meets the Prime Minister, they dance, and there's an instant attraction. She is married at this point in name only to Richard Bowden (Philip Quast). The two wind up having an affair, which complicates Liam's plans for a tell-all. She knows him under another name and he's fallen in love with her.

Delightful, sexy story, absolute fantasy, with two attractive leads and a twist that's not really much of a twist at all, 11 years later.

Just watch it and enjoy it for the romance that it is.

Harmless bit of bland, implausible romantic fluff for the gals. Its an example of why I stopped watching "Masterpiece Theater" years ago; also it is targeted squarely at the primary fundraising-base for PBS these days, which is middle-aged women.

Robson Green once again does his patented squinty-eyed turn as a quirky younger man romancing an older woman; he doesn't have very many years left to play this type of character. He certainly does have that mysterious key quality where you can't take your eyes off him on-screen; however I always wonder what serious actors really think of him. I was surprised here that the production didn't bother to disguise how short he is (much shorter than his female-lead romantic interest).

The only other interesting actor is Michael Maloney, but his one-note character gives him nothing to do but look pained all the time.

Russell Baker asked us to suspend our disbelief for "Me & Mrs. Jones". Suspension of disbelief is an important aspect in the observation of drama, but only when it's worth while to allow the appreciation of the drama (There was none; it was perfectly obvious from the beginning how it would end.) or comedy (which consisted mostly of Robson Green squinting thoughtfully and his friend the fund-raiser hyperventilating.) There's nothing really wrong with it as a TV-movie, but there's nothing particularly interesting either.

If you have a chance to catch this on Masterpiece Theatre, I strongly recommend it. The leads are attractive and many of the supporting cast are entertainingly quirky. As in an earlier Masterpiece Theatre, "Reckless", Robsen Green is attracted to a married woman. This time the stakes are higher because the woman is the Prime Minister and Green is a reporter trying to get a scoop. Even though Harry Fletcher is such a rogue, you can't help hoping true love will win.

This movie is not an exercise in deep drama. It's just a fun romantic movie that the actors could probably do standing on their heads.

Liam(Robson Green) is a tabloid journalist who is forced by his boss to find something personally damaging on the new Prime Minister, Laura Bowden(Caroline Goodall) who happens to be a woman. Liam doesn't use his real name. He calls himself Harry Fletcher and he, by using his friend Ivan(Michael Maloney) insinuates himself into the inner sanctum of the Prime Ministers staff. Using charm, he works his way closer and closer to the Prime Minister and eventually gets her alone, by playing to her need for privacy and her loneliness.

Liam's boss, Jane(Keeley Hawes), who happens to be Liam's ex-wife, is ecstatic. But she doesn't know how far Liam has penetrated the staff who Liam's 'source' is. Laura's Chief of Staff, Benedict(Peter Firth) discovers the affair and with the help of his crew: Michelle(Katy Murphy), Ali(Mark Bannerman) and Max(Aisling O'Sullivan) moves desperately to cover up the evidence. After several rendezvous with Laura, Liam discovers a damaging secret that could destroy Laura's political career forever. And it is now that he realizes that he is in love with Laura. Ivan gets hysterical after hearing this news, because he had always teased Liam of being an unprincipled jerk. What will Liam do? Will he print the story or not?

Of course, Laura finds out who Liam really is and they part company. But what is meant to be always finds a way.

This is a light, funny movie. No strenuous brain work needed. Just relax and enjoy, I did.