The Casual Vacancy

I saw this series when it first aired and it has impacted me still, four years later.

I have never seen so much story packed tightly into 3 episodes before. There are layers upon layers showing the many different lives people live and how the characters interact alone and in a group.

This series has a very powerful "before you judge others, consider what they are going through" message without slapping you in the face with it. I even felt shame for making an early assumption about one chatacter that I inevitably adored and admired greatly.

You know those "How are you feeling today?" forms with every emotion possible listed? I felt nearly all of them through each episode.

The most impactful scene that brings emotion just thinking about it even four years later was paired perfectly with the song "Choir to the Wild" by Solomon Grey. There has not been a better song matched to a scene in any move I have ever seen. I discovered Solomon Grey through this series and love all of their music.

The acting was outstanding and the scenery was lovely.

It's not a light, happy series at all, but it is a fascinating look at life from many different perspectives and will certainly cause you to look at things differently.

Had to write a quick review to counteract the ridiculous first review from whom I can only assume is one of the privileged snooty characters from the programme. I honestly thought it was a joke outside. The programme isn't particularly crude: it shows a realistic depiction of fairly ordinary life, swearing and sexuality included.

Yes, Britain really is like that, and the drama painted a very intimate and affecting portrait of the lives of ordinary people, the hardships they face, and their failings as human beings.

Highly recommended. Apparently IMDb wants me to write more, so I'll say that the scenery is also very nice, so if you fancy a holiday somewhere with nice countryside, I believe it was filmed in the Cotswolds...

They did not need to add a "thorough intro" to the mini-series. The introduction that the book provided was perfect. (The book's end was perfect too.) We start with Barry Fairbrother's sudden death and then see how the town starts to deal with it. Barry Fairbrother: What happens when the good man in town, the smart man, the progressive man, the honest man, the open-hearted man, up and dies? You are left with everyone else. This is what JK Rowling explores. The dynamics of a small-minded tight community.

The acting is good and a with complex plot from Rowling but over-all not worth my time. None of the characters were really appealing or convincing (except for the dead ones) and I could not really engage with the story-line. Considering everything, i can't recommend this film. I stuck it out it the end but finally I was sorry I bothered.

Written and produced by ...JK Rowling, of Potter films inc. It's a three part mini-series. We're ten minutes into part one, and nothing yet. But, it gets going fast! Turns out a couple of richers want to turn the community center land into a "wellness retreat", which should make someone a lot of money. But the board of Pagford has a responsibility to keep the center open, helping the locals. It's all very ethereal... when the lead supporter of the council can't do it any more, they want to fill the spot with someone who will back the new wellness center. But... some of the locals who depend on the community center step in.. in various ways. The vote is approaching... who will fill the vacant spot? And who is uncovering secrets that need to be uncovered? It's pretty interesting. Sense of drama and suspense. Directed by Jonny Campbell. Had directed the remakes of Dracula and Westworld.