The 7.39

How many ways are there to depict infidelity, on screen or on the page? Or romantic love, for that matter? Sometimes it seems that all possible shades of both have been covered, and repeated ad nauseum. Then there comes something like 'The 7.39', and one realizes the same old story can indeed be told in yet another way, which is both entertaining and insightful.

Two commuters - 'everyman' and 'everywoman' - are attracted to each other; the first part focuses on them and the tension is built up really effectively. The second part takes us through the repercussions of their actions, not in a moralistic way, but in a way that one feels sympathy for ALL the characters.

The resolution is unexpected -- I couldn't predict till the last minute how it was all going to end. To take a theme/plot that has been told a million times before, and then to tell in a way that the viewer holds her breath, eagerly anticipating the next turn in the course of events: that's the art of storytelling at its best. This has been compared to the great film 'Brief Encounter'; both deal with the very human theme of temptation, but I think 'The 7.39' also tells us something about the dilemma of the modern man/woman: is life any less complicated when the rules are relaxed?

This is a drama about two people who have a chance meeting on a train. Both are with other people and seemingly happy but the attraction between them is too strong to resist. It follows their relationship from the platonic to the inevitable fallout from the decisions they take.

In other hands this could have been a corny and cheesy mess however a brilliant cast and good direction means this is nothing but a success. It moves along at a good pace and never gets boring. I also liked the fact that it didn't paint the adulterers as awful people just normal people in a difficult situation.

The main cast are all top rate actors and they don't disappoint. David Morrissey is great as the guilty husband, the fantastic Sheridan Smith is beguiling as the younger woman and Olivia Colman superb as the spurned wife.

The 7.39 is a very good drama and well worth watching.

The 7.39 is the latest screenplay to hit the (TV) screens from the pen of David (One day) Nicholls comes across as an update or homage to Brief Encounter. The 1945 original is rightly considered a classic, written by Noel Coward and directed by David Lean it's very much a film of it's time.

This was shown recently over two nights on BBC1 and follows a similar pattern with the two leads being tempted into cheating on their partners. David Morrissey is well cast as the middle management office worker married to Olivia Coleman with two teenage children. Sheridan Smith is equally effective as a personal trainer recently engaged to Sean Maguire who clearly works out.

Knowing David Nicholls this won't be a "and they all lived happily ever after" ending and it isn't. But the journey is what this film is all about and it's quite a ride, with highs and lows along the way as the miss-matched pair get to know each other better.

There is not much humour or nudity in the film but it's definitely an adult film with consequences for actions taken, it also works as a story much better than the film adaptation of One day did.

Overall 8/10 highly recommended.

... how many people would change partners were opportunity presented as in this fairly well-made-good little mini-series... here these-two made to appear as really very nice-decent-individuals, just happening to meeting-having-sex-regularly because they can, and really are very sexually attracted to one another

... it's well made and appealing, just a bit hollow, along with evidencing why divorce rates are high world over... commitment crushed by passion till awakening or rationality (or nature) intervenes-returns

... and not that all these works need-require-nudity, yet making this here storyline more authentic, today's expressive-audiences increasingly sense its absence-avoidance.

There is so very little to look forward to on telly these days, but this is just incredible. A host of great people, great characters and a great script. I have read all the typically superfluous comments re. Oh the 7.39 is always so crowded, where is the fat balding bloke etc etc. the 7.39 does not go from West Sussex to paddington. I am a railway enthusiast and even I groaned at that one !! Having been fortunate enough to experience a very intense wonderful affair of this type, this is so realistic, I was spell bound and cannot wait for tonight. The looks, the subtle body language, the doubt, the intense rush it's all there and yes I hope the lust will be there as well. Well it is 2014, even if it's the London commuter belt and all that and the stuffy old south of England !! Well done the BBC for showing this, well done to the actors and actresses a modern day Brief Encounter, fantastic !! More please.