Mix Tape

My Review - Mixtape Streaming on Foxtel My Rating 8:10

This entertaining and romantic 4 part series set in 1989 Sheffield and Sydney is a production partnership between Ireland and Australia starring Jim Sturgess and Teresa Palmer .

It's a charming old fashioned sliding doors romance where two young lovers through traumatic events separate or escape to different continents and marry different partners .

Young Daniel played by Rory Walton-Smith and young Alison played by Florence Hunt meet in 1989 Sheffield and fall in love as teenagers before life takes them in different directions.

Daniel is left wondering why Alison just packs up and leaves Sheffield without any explanation at all Years later he discovers Alison is a very successful author living in Sydney now married to a doctor with a teenage daughter of her own.

Daniel reconnects with Alison through social media and both begin to wonder if they were meant to be with each other rather than remain in problematical marriages.

They both share the musical memories which were the soundtrack of their romance .

I thoroughly enjoyed Mixtape it's romantic touching and it's really nice to watch a four part series that's not violent or over sexualised with really likeable characters.

Top marks to Director Lucy Gaffy and Jo Spain the screenplay writer they have created a relatable and charming contemporary love story .

We knew nothing about this going in, other than 'you never forget the boy who makes you your first mixtape'. Enjoyed the short series so much, perfect weekend watch. The songs are perhaps more suited to UK watchers, but they were well chosen and took us back. Great casting! The young actors had us believing they were smitten, and the chemistry carried across to the adult counterparts. Only one actor seemed like he was acting, otherwise the characters were believable and a little relatable. Gen X watchers should enjoy this.

Not sure why there are a smattering of low ratings, but most romances have them, not sure if someone is making them watch against their will, but if you've watched the ad, you should know what you're in for, and it's some high quality, well scripted, well acted entertainment. It's not going to change your life, but it will make you smile and hum along, and entertain you for four hours. Might even watch again!

I found this tv drama emotionally engaging - it had me hooked right to the end - despite it containing a few flaws. I am of an age to remember compiling cassettes made up of my favourite songs - so I could relate to both time periods (many of the songs chosen were quite obscure, though). I did find it irritating that, despite Alison and Daniel both being professional writers, they are amazingly inarticulate at explaining their actions, or expressing their feelings. It does enable the series to create and prolong misunderstandings, so has dramatic value, but does seem rather contrived. Also, their partners are portrayed as being self-centred and insensitive, which helps justify the betrayals of Alison and Dan, but one wonders how the relationships have survived so long with these attitudes. Finally, the actresses who play the younger and older versions of Alison, whilst good in themselves, bear no likeness to each other, which stretches credibility. One reviewer on this site made the interesting suggestion that Lily James would have been a better match for the older Alison (presumably she was either unavailable, or too expensive).

I came across this as it was starting on the BBC, knowing nothing about it. Watched the first episode and then was hooked.

It reflects the period in the 80's well, recreating Sheffield. Varying accuracy of accents aside, it does it well.

The two central characters, as kids, are excellent, as are their adult counterparts.

Theres various issues of the time to deal with, social pressures, dysfunctional family, seemingly loving family, school life, friendship, love, all set to a fairly good soundtrack of 80's indie (ish) music. Nice to see someone with those horrible orange foam headphones on permanently! Theres even a pantomime villain character, scheming away.

I found it refreshing and lovely and was glued to it.

I've given it a 10 because not much makes me cry, but this did. The story is close to my own and hit some raw nerves. But even if it wasn't that way I think it was superb. True the adult characters are not quite old enough but relax into it, enjoy a great story and absorb the amazing music. The intertwining of 1988 and present day is seamlessly done. A superb production, will there be a season 2? Probably doesn't need one.