A Town Called Malice

I don't understand some of the bad reviews here. This series was great fun. It's supposed to be a caricature of criminal life in East London transplanted to the Costa. It's not aiming to be an accurate depiction. It takes inspiration from some real-life characters from the underworld, in 1980s London, and then makes them OTT to great effect.

The main characters are well-acted, particularly Ma and Cindy, and Jason Flemyng does his great scene-chewing piece. It's beautifully shot, with some great camera angles and use of natural light and colour. The recreation of the 80s, in the clothes, cars and gadgets is top notch.

And to opt it all off, the soundtrack is a fantastic tour through the great music of the 80s, with songs well-chosen for the scenes in which they're used. Having characters sing along with the lyrics is very funny too!

Well worth a watch. Accept it for what it is meant to be!

Hoped for this to be good more than I did Santa being real as a kid.

Soundtrack is amazing although it's clear it's what carries every episode with so many songs crammed in, as with the attire.

Acting is just above GCSE drama level at best although the storyline does have substance even though it's nothing that hasn't been done before.

How much is packed in to the first and last episodes could've given an extra episode rather than cramming it all in.

Hoping for more for season two given that budget obviously isn't a problem.

Last episode bought it up to a 6 from a 4 for me.

Extra star given for Paul Weller cameo....mush.

Didn't think I would like this having grown up in Bermondsey in the 70s and 80s but it is kind of fun the memories names clothing and music all from the Era bring back some happy memories.

Love the primrose yellow corniche that seems to be the family run about.

I didn't know any of the actors but they all seem to have a good list of shows under their belt.

The story and motives are finally revealed in episode 4 giving you an excuse to finish off watching the series the acting may not be top notch but it is watchable

Not for everyone but I'm enjoying it could there possibly be a 2nd series guess will have to see.

Don't get me wrong, this show is not a BAFTA award winner. It's actually quite bad, but and it's a huge BUT, it's really enjoyable. The music, the terrible story & the acting are all part of its charm.

It's taken everything from terrible 80s shows, awful action films, thrown in a great soundtrack, neon lights and a comical story then stuck them all in a blender, and out comes this mess of an enjoyable show.

I found myself, zoning out and just going with it. Personally I think we have got so wrapped up in pioneering shows, that's sometimes a soap operaesque show, which is just entertaining is ok to admit to enjoying.

This isn't 10/10 or portraying reality. It's just something to zone out to after a stressful day.

I have been looking forward to this show for months. I have to watch it all, mainly for Martha Plimpton who is a fine actress. I am of the same opinion as others, soundtrack great but plot is all over the place. At this point, I am curious as to Cindy - as she looked, I believed to be about 18 when we met her in episode 1. Now I am trying to get around the fact she was an adult with a child in 1979. Just how old is Cindy now? Determined to watch through to end. I hope though it is a complete series as it is somewhat painful to think there may be questions unanswered and a 2nd series is coming.

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