The Poison Tree

A complex story certainly. The twists and turns take you across decades with much of the story told in flashback. I found this adaptation to be extremely atmospheric and well acted.

In summary, the quality of the production is high, and the story will hold your interest. The acting is first-rate.

The journey to the story's resolution is satisfying even if the resolution itself is not completely so.

Karen Clarke (MyAnna Buring) and her daughter Alice go to welcome her husband Rex Clarke (Matthew Goode) coming out of prison after 12 years. In flashbacks, Karen is introduced to Rex by his volatile party girl sister Biba Capel (Ophelia Lovibond). The siblings are estranged from their famous father who is throwing them out of their home.

Basically, this is a long wait for the reason of his incarceration. It's a tease of something that is less than compelling. It's not a big mystery even. It's a slow inevitable reveal. The structure really defeats its intensity. The blackmail bit is the only true tension but it's not that elevated. Somewhere, somehow, this needs to find more tension. It does get to an interesting reveal that isn't even on the radar. That's the problem with this story. It's structured incorrectly to concentrate on the wrong mystery.

Acorn TV had only 2 episodes and it did not seem like the story was finished. I've heard of 'mini-series' but this is extremely mini! Matthew Goode was excellent from what I saw in 2 shows. Disappointed there wasn't more.

Not a deep review here... I like dark and psychological, and am turned off by gory, perverse, etc. This was compelling without being overboard. Not a happy story to be sure! But interesting. There's one choice the protagonist made that I would not have, but besides that it was a good ride. I agree with the others that the acting was terrific.

The plot is good but the acting is not. I had to keep fast forwarding it. Boring!