A Fine Romance

I watched this series on TV as a teenager, and loved it. I saw it on sale, bought the first series, watched it, and loved it. I bought the rest, worked my way through it in a few days, and loved it. And I will watch it again.

The the main character's insecurity keep me wanting to know if they will make it, the well-timed one-liners make me laugh, and the mistakes made by the characters make me feel for them. The script is as good as the acting (which, though a bit theatrical, is superb). What the actors don't actually say, we understand from their body language.

As a teenager I fell in love with this story and with Mike, the shy little guy who tries to stand up for himself, and who maybe could be a match for dramatic Laura. Again I feel myself wishing to be in Laura's shoes - but then again maybe not...

If you are thinking about buying this series, stop thinking and do it! If you are an actor: you probably have a lot to learn from Williams/Dench.

This is just the kind of wonderful English comedy that American television would buy and then immediately strip all its charm away by loading it down with sexual innuendo and casting actors wrong for the parts.

Judi Dench is admirable as an actor because she is willing to take on the mundane and see its dramatic possibilities. She has never been a snob about television comedy roles. Her work in it is usually better than 95% of movies filmed. Her husband, Michael Williams, is a master at physical comedy that reveals his character's state of mind. There is even pathos in the series as each character learns that what he or she thought was "settling" is actually a golden opportunity because the other person has valuable qualities.

It's a shame that the world did not fully recognize Mr. William's brilliant comedic talent before his untimely death.

Whoever wrote "boring" must have been of the wrong age group. I'm 53 and I just loved all the movies (I bought the whole series) because I can relate to it. I loved the one liners! Michael Williams is spectacularly funny - a man without a clue!!

I got the whole set - I know that Amazon.com carries it - it's worth it!!! I also plan on getting the "Good Neighbors" complete set, "To The Manor Born" and "Vicar of Dibley". I LOVE English comedy!

When I first watched this show, I was little disappointed but after watching it again. I could see this is a fine show about two real life actors like Dame Judi Dench and Michael Williams (who did receive a papal knighthood) playing two odd characters like a linguist and a landscaper. Judi plays Laura, the intellectual linguist, and Michael plays Mike, the quiet shy landscaper. At first, this is an unlikely pairing but you know if you know anything about the great Dame Judi Dench (even though she prefer you call her just Judi, no Dame Judi or Ms. Dench). This is their romance. While Dame Judi receives a lot of attention, Michael is the wind beneath her wings. I paid a lot more attention to his role in this show. I can see why she fell in love with him. When Judi asked about her longtime marriage to Michael, she responded that "they just enjoyed being in the same room together." Now that is a sign of a fine romance and an excellent relationship. Michael never did receive the fame or accolades as his wife but I know he was proud of her even now as she earns one of Britain's top honor, Companion of Honor, only 65 living people at a time can receive this honor. When Dame Judi earned her O.B.E. (Officer of the British Empire) in 1970, Michael was not there in her life. When she became Dame Judi, Mike and her daughter, Finty was there at the palace. Now, she has her grandson, Sam, and Finty for this special occasion. I will say the writing of this show could be better. The humor is much dryer than normal, it is very cerebral and intellectual. Susan Penhaligon and Richard Warwick are just fine as Laura's sister Helen and brother-in-law Phil. It really is the story of Mike and Judi's great relationship. I bet you that Judi loved doing this show with Mike. It gave them a chance for both of them to shine.

Few series have more ably depicted the complicated communication between two people from different backgrounds who are trying to forge a relationship. Mike and Laura start out associating by accident and then by design. Laura is prickly and easily offended. Mike is well-intentioned but inarticulate. Laura is an intellectual with strong family ties (especially to her long-suffering sister). Mike is a landscaper with no family to speak of. They both feel like outsiders looking in most of the time. This series details their mutual yearnings and blunderings in a warm and humorous manner. By the end, I wanted terribly for these two awkward people to get together. A sign of a successful series.

Good acting, good writing, and good supporting characters. Highly recommended.