The Pursuit of Love

Although my wife and I enjoyed it, we both came to the end and pretty much wondered what the point of it all was and asking ourselves what we were missing.

The two leads were excellent. No denying it. Andrew Scott at his best but not enough of him on the screen though obviously that's not his fault. In fact, we sort of wondered what the character was doing in the story at all since Lord Merlin didn't seem to serve any purpose other than to provide accommodation for Linda at one point. All the other acting, no problem.

Costumes? Great. Background and settings? All what one would hope for.

It all comes down to the story not quite working.

Ultimately I suspect this is just one of those stories that doesn't lend itself to transitioning from the printed page to the tv screen. We haven't read the book so can't comment properly but bottom line really was we were left feeling, "so what?"

This adaptation encapsulates much of the comedy of the novel about the eccentric world of the aristocratic Radlett family at Alconleigh. Andrew Scott steals the show - a fabulous performance of bohemian neighbour Merlin. This is such a treat.

I had been looking forward to this lavish adaptation of Nancy Mitford's first popular novel, fondly remembering the BBC's last version from 2001, but despite a stellar cast, locations and production design this lacks the charm and innocence of the former and tries too hard to make it relevant to a contemporary audience, with a 70s soundtrack and younger casting, especially that of Lord Merlin. The wit and humour of Nancy's novel just evaporates here.

I genuinely enjoyed it all. The eccentricities, visuals and weirdness. Only one episode in of course, but hope this continues as it began. To me, though evidently very few others, this was absurdly delicious.

These social butterflies cannot land anywhere, even for a moment. It becomes irritating when we watch sequence after sequence of fleeting thoughts and moments The script just tries too hard, a bit like the girls trying to find love.