Ever Decreasing Circles

What makes Ever Decreasing Circles so charming and fascinating ? Basically, it's the old world values of love and fidelity.

Martin, fastidiously played by Richard Briars, is a man struggling against his own mediocrity. We can all recognise his situation and the men whose lives mirror his, he tries so hard at everything but his best is never quite good enough, while the charmer Paul, oily played by Peter Egan, achieves everything with effortless ease.

It's a play and a counter-play of a man who struggles through life compared to a man who is gifted by nature.

What redeems Martin from a lifetime of ennui is that he is married to Anne, played by the simply gorgeous Penelope Wilton. Would be Hollywood actresses should note that Penelope Wilton manages to convey as much sex appeal through a smile as do many talentless actresses through heaving bosoms.

Anne is the rose in Martin's life and we are left with the feeling that Martin wakes up everyday thanking God for giving him such a wife.

What gives the show its appeal is that although Anne is undoubtedly attracted by Paul and his charm , she remains loyal to Martin.

Ever Decreasing Circles tells us that there is still a place for Fidelity in married life and the World.

Sorry to see this excellent series damned by faint praise in another review. A quiet home-counties close is the setting for some complex characters and relationships, brought out superbly by the principals, Richard Briers, Penelope Wilton and Peter Egan. Admittedly, Howard & Hilda were a bit two-dimensional, but that was kind of the point.

While stopping short of biting satire, it nevertheless touched nerves in suburban households in much the same way as the first Reginald Perrin series. The ability to make a character like Martin Bryce likable (well, occasionally) highlights the consummate skill of Briers, who has ranged from farce to the RSC with equal ease. At first it's hard to understand how the wonderful Anne (Penelope Wilton) married him, and yet eventually you see how it could happen. A poignant and very English comedy that should see the light of day again.

The brilliance of this series is demonstrated by the fact that when it was shown on the same Sunday evenings as Only Fools and Horses the eminently forgettable programme sandwiched in between "Howard's Way" recorded amazing viewing figures also. The premise of the series which centred on the angst of a pedantic control freak, was hard to pull off but Richard Briers was amazing in the role which was the entire hub of the series. The support cast was also brilliant with an amazing rapport between all the players. I have to say I laughed out loud at the one damning review here which couldn't see the joke in Howard saying to Hilda:

"Come on dear, we best go home now or we'll miss the shipping forecast."

"Why do we always listen to the shipping forecast Howard?"

"Because it leads us nicely into the news dear."

If he couldn't see the humour in that he must have had a good deal in common with Briers' character Martin Brice who could never see the humour in anything. That was what made it so funny.

Apart from Only Fools and Horses there is no better mainstream 80s comedy than this, on the surface it's the usual middle class suburban fare with clichéd characters but is a whole lot deeper, cleverer and funnier than that.

Richard Bryers gives his best comedy performance, quality support from Penelope Wilton and Peter Egan is well cast as his foil Paul. Then of course the shows light relief in the form of 'his and hers' outfits, Howard and Hilda.

The show exists in very ordinary unspectacular surroundings of a London suburb but no shame there, as thats pretty much the situation most of us live in. Much of the comedy derives from Martin Bryce's (Byrers) insecurity as he see's Paul as the threat to his quiet little corner of England.

Richard Briers has appeared in some terrific TV comedy series but this must surely be his best performance to date. His character, Martin Bryce, runs 'The Close', his local neighbourhood by organizing all the committees and cajoling his neighbours to take part in various activities. His job, at Mole Valley Valves is seen to be fairly humdrum. His wife (Penelope Wilton) just about puts up with his irritating, though well-meaning ways, but his dream world has a rude awakening with the arrival of new next door neighbour, Paul Ryman (Peter Egan). Paul is everything Martin is not that in that he is successful in business without seeming to bother, has played cricket at Lords, is handsome with a succession of beautiful girlfriends, has many 'mates' to help him pull strings and is charming to all and sundry.

The series shows Martin's vain attempts to prove he is the better man, often to his wife, Anne, but also to other neighbours from the close, notably Howard & Hilda Hughes. These two are another classic creation from writers Esmonde and Larbey. They do everything together, have a daily set routine which can never be interrupted and a genius for unintentional and innocent double-entendres usually only picked up by Paul and Anne. Howard (brilliantly portrayed by Stanley Lebor) is Martin's best friend but the latter cannot understand why he falls for Paul and his 'nice guy' image.

One of the funniest episodes of the series comes when Anne is in hospital for a few days and Martin boastfully promises to spring clean the house single-handedly in her absence. He uses charts, colour-coding and a stop-watch but everything goes wrong that could go wrong and it's Paul who inevitably has to come to the rescue. The series ended with a one-off extended edition which saw Anne expecting a baby (rather late in life) and the couple's move from The Close to Oswestry, brought about by the merger of Martin's firm.

An essential purchase on DVD for anybody who appreciates subtle comedy writing and great performances by the entire cast.