The Full Monty

This show is 100% a slow burner. When the first episode came on I was worried, really really worried. The full Monty is my all time favourite film, I was upset for the fist 30 mins of the first episode, however stick with it and the original charm begins to shine through again, If you like the original film, you should definitely stick with it and keep on until at least episode 3. It's sad moving, bleak and funny, the same three things that's made the first one so good, it just dose it in a different way. I do however miss the orchestra throughout, that the first film had. The music is good through. Overall It could be bleaker but it works well.

How anyone can leave a review of a series based on watching half the first episode is totally baffling. It's also totally their loss.

I will admit that I was a little undecided after episode 1 but decided to stick with it. So glad I did.

Dont expect it to be like the movie it isn't. It is though important that you have seen the movie.

I dont normally write reviews but in this instance, just felt the low ratings were really unjustified.

In fact, this isn't really a review lol Just stick with it watch more than one episode.

A totally different story to the original movie but with the same charm, humour,pathos, characters and scenery.

I'm slightly biased as a one time resident of Sheffield.

Just give it a chance.

'The Full Monty (2023)' is a sequel series to 'The Full Monty (1997)' that follows the cast of that movie as they navigate their daily lives. It doesn't focus on performing at a strip joint (there's only one nod towards the group's iconic stage show), instead spending its time charting the various stresses and struggles of these working class characters. It mixes family drama with social commentary, bouncing between its cast members so that they've pretty much all got at least one episode dedicated primarily to them (except for Tom Wilkinson, who kind of just sits there, and Hugo Speer, who only makes a handful of appearances). It takes quite a while to get into its groove, with a couple of notable dips here and there, but it eventually ends on a fairly strong note (even if the way it handles a certain significant element of its ending is notably strange). Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Lesley Sharp, Paul Barber and Steve Huison all reprise their roles really well, and the writing typically does these legacy characters justice. They're joined by a few newcomers, the most notable perhaps being Miles Jupp, but these are given perhaps a bit too much attention considering they aren't really who we came to see. Still, everyone does what they need to do and they mostly do it well. It's not a great series - and it's not particularly necessary, either - but it's enjoyable enough for what it is and it has a couple of stronger episodes in its back half.

I love it, not because it's funny as the movie (although there are some really good laughs), but because it shows the actual real life, the good and the bad, and all the ugliness of modern society, that's supposed to be more advanced than it was in the past.

It also shows small and not so small good and beautiful things, that make life worth living. It also reminds us to pay attention to people we care for and to listen not only with your ears, but with your heart. Because someone might need your help, your friendship, your guidance, or even just a kind gesture or word, and you should recognize that, before it's too late.

This is a very different beast to the film but well worth a watch and persevere with if it seems to dip a bit in the middle. Some of the episodes are stronger than others, but all have their memorable moments. Social politics are very much central to this show. School & nhs underfunding, mental health services, poverty, housing issues, bullying, the benefits system are all fair game. However, that doesn't mean it's not funny; it's just not a gag a minute but their are several laugh out loud sequences. It's definitely worth staying with until the end of the series. The last episode is very moving. Pleased this worked, as loved the film.