Life After Life

Did you ever notice how, in polite society, we never discuss that which we fear most? This is the case with reincarnation, a process, according to doctrine, each of us must experience. And more than once. Any film or series that tackles this topic is by definition, brave. Especially if done well. This series handles the topic brilliantly. It is in the same class as CLOUD ATLAS, a film on my IMDb list of the best films ever (more below). The purpose of the series, perhaps like the purpose of the process it is so determined to explore, appears to be merely to get one thinking and pondering. And it succeeds at that purpose. Brilliantly. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

I didn't have any knowledge about the show's source material and I have never read the book, so I basically started watching this show out of boredom. However, it instantly gripped me. The characters were all very appealing to me and Thomasin McKenzie does a fantastic job as Ursula Todd. The rest of the cast was also outstanding. This series was sometimes uplifting and comedic but sometimes downright depressing. Although it isn't flawless, it definitely kept me watching.

Adapted for TV from a popular novel with an intriguing premise - a protagonist continually being reborn with a chance to live her life again with different outcomes.

This was a quality drama with high production values, beautiful direction and cinematography and a fine classical score by Volker Bertelmann. The script by Bash Doran was well-crafted with lovely crisp dialogue and a well paced structure. The cast was strong in depth from the children right up to the protagonist Ursula.

Minor quibble would be the narration - a little over used but in general everyone was on song in this production, congrats all round, I loved it.

I have loved the book for some years - re-read it several times - so was a little nervous about the TV series. But it was perfect. Most of the scenes were almost exactly how I imagined them, and the characters too. Having the author, Kate Atkinson, involved obviously helped.

Yet my favourite scenes were ironically the ones where the series departed most from the book (which is not to say it was far), especially episode four, In many ways the TV series tied it all together better than the book did.

Even though I knew what was coming the series still packed emotional hit after hit, so I cannot imagine what someone who did not know it would make of it!

A mixed bag. Lovely sets and acting. The first episode dragged, but the second was more engaging. The third was good too, but by the fourth I was bored. Unnecessarily harrowing in places, to the point of mawkishness. But I liked the way Ursula's character changed in her different lives. Difficult to watch the mother without thinking Claire in Fleabag! 😀

I have read the book and enjoyed it very much, even if the stuff in Germany is a bit fantastical. But they changed the ending for the series!! That was a mistake - the series ending is a letdown. I won't give away what it should have been, but it means they can't make an adaptation of the sequel, A God in Ruins, which to my mind is actually a better book.