Reckless

Francesca Annis, Michael Kitchen AND Robson Green!! Wow, what a trio...OK, so this is no Anna Karenina, but it is a good love story, very well-written and well-acted by all. Even a few 'laugh-out-loud' moments mixed in with some pretty serious observations on fidelity, age bias, and parental aging/Alzheimer's issues.

Quirky guitar music added to the story as well.

While I have been a fan of Ms. Annis' since 'Lillie' (in the '70s) and Mr. Kitchen's since 'The Buccaneers' and 'Enchanted April', I have only recently discovered Mr. Green ('Me and Mrs. Jones', 'Touching Evil', etc.), making me ask the question - why had I not seen 'Reckless' until recently??!! Admittedly more of a 'chick flick' than something a man will sit through, it is perfect for a rainy afternoon's lazy viewing.

Reckless is not worth the while. I didn't enjoy my viewing experience at all, although I really tried to.

The characters were awful in my opinion. I didn't like the way that they were portrayed. A lack of chemistry and depth of feeling. Some characters were unrelatable, others were just plain misplaced/cringeworthy. I just thought, what're they doing here?

The music, rachet music, was foul to my ears and the more I watched, the less tolerable it became. This is critical because music does a lot to the viewing experience and it goes both ways. In Reckless' case, the music was... terrible. Very unfortunate.

So Reckless as a plot and concept does have potential, I do recognise, but this production does not do the said plot/love triangle dynamic justice, at least not to me.

I forgot to mention the music! A very integral and lovely part, transitioning us from one scene to another. Hal Lindes (of Dire Straits' fame) and Christopher Gunning did an extraordinary job to create the perfect melody, weaving it sensitively throughout Reckless, sometimes soft and sweet, other times, lively and playful, whatever the scene called for. Absolutely Perfect!!

I saw only the first part of this series when it debuted back in the late 90's and only recently got a chance to watch all three parts via Netflix (convenient service by the way). All in all, I liked this lighthearted, sometimes genre challenged, mini series. The story of a younger man falling for an older woman seems to work and the actors are all fine. Yes, it does have some romance clichés of running in the rain or a train station goodbye, but the characters have a chance to be explored so it doesn't seem cheesy, like it would be if this were some Tom Hanks vehicle or similar. Robson Greene, who at times reminds me of a separated-at-birth Scott Bakula does a fine job of someone who is head over heels in love and the ebb and tide of desire and rejection throws the series into watchable fare. Personally, I think the series could have been done with two episodes, but that's up for debate I suppose. Apparently, there's a sequel, and that should be arriving tomorrow via Netflix.

Only a complete dolt would not recognize the charm, intensity, relevance and reality of this story. OK... it is not "I, Claudius", but it is a typical example of excellent UK production values, from script to casting. It is superb. Another reminder of just how ignorant and idiotic the vast majority of US programming is and what is possible. Francesa Annis and Robson Green are real, from start to finish. The story, while simple and used many times before, is just as vital today. This treatment is balanced, understated and in proportion. Michael Kitchen, as always, performs at the highest level, even though, as often, is in a secondary role.