Love Again

Brought Philip Larkin to life in a way that is worthy of the greatest performances of all time, and not just the ones that are measured by popularity. It shows a stark portrayal of Larkins life as the greatest unrecognized poet of his era - which is exactly how he would have wanted it, such was his disdain for cankers and medallions. It dramatically exposes the raw beauty in the intense sadness of Philips observations of our relationship with our own mortality, and lays it our in a way that seems to have missed even the great philosophers. for anyone interested in profound observations of our relationship with life, love and death this is a must.

I watched this programme tonight because I've just studied Philip Larkin's poems for my AS Level exams. To be honest I didn't particularly enjoy his poems, but I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. Great acting all round, as expected. The subject matter was dealt with sensitively, and really gave a depth to Larkin's attitudes, and his traditional label of 'moaner'. Highly recommended!

What's there not to like?

I caught this again tonight and marvelled as to Hugh Bonneville's capturing of the essence of Philip Larkin without resorting to tics and caricature.

There are many layers to the depiction of the complexity of the main character and Hugh brings them to life. His prudish mother, his unresolved issues with his father and his inability to commit to one woman.

His poetry is interlaced throughout and some scenes are caught in his recounting of them to the wife of a friend whom he later propositions but quite casually, almost innocently. It is not difficult to see where his attraction lay for the many women who fell in love with him (and knew about each other, to boot, and continued to see him!)

Cerebral, fun-loving, jazz aficionado, loyal friend. It is always more than looks, women moved beyond his baldness, deafness and short sightedness. And a beautifully nuanced performance by Eileen Atkins as his mum is an added bonus.

9 out of 10.

I saw this on TVO last night, attracted by the name Hugh Bonneville. He was so good as the young John Bayley in Iris, then I saw him in Take A Girl Like You, one of my favourite mini-series. Here he's playing Philip Larkin from the 50's, when he was appointed head Librarian at Hull University, to his death in 1985. This tall, pot-bellied man was madly attractive to three women, proof that thick glasses and a hearing aid are no impediments to desire. Take that, Hollywood...

Larkin's poetry has an ironic diction that carries the reader along with it. Bonneville manages to suggest that the style was the product of disappointment over not having the sexual magnetism of Dylan Thomas or Ted Hughes ("I'm no Ted Hughes in the charisma department"). Best acting was by Amanda Root, who brought Maeve fully to life. Her Roman Catholic scruples about sex outside of marriage provided the only tension in the story.

I am a big fan of Larkin's works, I believe that he was amid the greatest 20th century poets. The film itself does a great justice to the bard of Hull. Wonderfully portrayed by all the players in their roles. Bonneville does do a service to the sexually repressed Larkin, he avoids an impression and strays from becoming a caricature. The use of his poetry was the highlight of the piece itself. Rather than acting out the massive intensity with which Larkin felt, the use of his words themselves give a better insight into plot and add a much more sombre but altogether more fascinating atmosphere. Most enjoyable.