hillrosemary

I usually love John Le Carre's books, but I didn't think much of Our Kind of Traitor at all. In fact it left me with almost no memory of the story except a vague outline, which was very handy when it came to watching the film. I enjoyed the screen version much more. The adaptation is good, the action was paced far better than the novel, and the acting was excellent. Stellan Skarsgaad was wonderful as Dima - he managed, I thought, to make the character sympathetic without ever losing his menace. Damian Lewis was also very good. I don't especially care for Ewan MacGregor, but I thought he did well in this. I had last seen Khalid Abdalla, who played Luke, in the role of an Islamic terrorist in 'Spooks', and I think Susanne White made an excellent choice of having him play an MI-6 officer; while I know nothing about who staffs what in Vauxhall Cross, I would imagine it's much more multi-ethnic than it used to be. Lastly, the little cameo by John Le Carre himself was a nice touch.

As to how close to the reality the story line is ... I suspect much more so than many people might like to think!

I watched this yesterday evening and was riveted from start to finish. The acting was excellent from every member of the cast, but Ben Miles (Somerset), Sophie Okonedo (Margaret of Anjou) and Hugh Bonneville (Gloucester) absolutely took my breath away. Everyone's diction was crystal clear, and the whole thing was beautifully shot. The BBC, like any organisation, may have its flaws, but when it does something like this I defy any broadcasting organisation in the world to outclass it. Anyone watching who doesn't know the history of the Wars of the Roses may find the events being depicted a little confusing at first, but reading a synopsis of the play beforehand will help and is well worth it. Outstanding, and I can hardly wait for the next two adaptations.

I must be very easy to please, I suppose. I've thoroughly enjoyed this, and as we approach the final episode, I'll be sorry to see it end. Yes, I agree, a Kay Mellor drama is usually fairly recognisable, since her style doesn't change that much, but then why should it? She has an enviable ability to write good stories and, most important, her writing appears to attract some very good actors. I like the way in which even the nicest (on the surface) of her characters have flaws; it makes them much more realistic. I'm sure I haven't been the only viewer wanting to smack Jasmine at various stages in this! The only character to whom I haven't managed to warm at all is Susie, because she's been so unlikeable from the start. I don't quite hold with the criticism that Kay Mellor can't or won't, write 'good' male characters either. Yes, Dev, Simon et al can be weak and daft; they can also be strong and sympathetic - just like men in real life are.

Last but not least, I think Ms Mellor's done a wonderful job of preventing 'In The Club' becoming overly sentimental, which it could easily have done, by leavening the pathos with humour. Much of the latter has been provided by the character of Roanna. Having admired Hermione Norris's comic timing and skills in 'Cold Feet' I think she's done an equally fine job here. The scene where Simon panicked like a headless chicken because he thought Roanna was in labour when she had foot cramp had me laughing out loud. Likewise her tearing a strip off his artist housemate. Brilliant.

In short, it's the kind of programme TV critics will inevitably be patronising about, but the kind that I look forward to every week. Good acting, good writing and a good laugh. What else do you need?