Truelove

I got hooked about 10 minutes in due to the stellar cast. This moves slowly but in a world of fast everything, this isn't a bad thing.

This story is so pertinent with the current demands for assisted dying and the wonderful Esther Rantzen appeals.

I am currently up to the end of episode two and the last scene broke me, the first class actress Sue Johnston played this scene mesmerisingly.

I realise that the rest is going to be a hard watch but the story telling takes you along slowly with it.

I'm age 57 and this is something that interests me greatly.

It will make you think deeply about the subject matter which is covered in a beautiful and highly sensitive manner.

Hmm. I started watching this thinking... Why am I subjecting myself to six long episodes of a program about really old people? That's what we all do. We immediately dismiss old people. How refreshing and positive it was to enter into the lives of this fictional group, with all the uncertainties and passion of someone starting out in the adult world.

Age gives us time to get really good at what we love to do. This is a quality production with classy performances from very experienced actors. For example, I love the way emotions explode out of Phil's face, with just the slightest change of expression. The topic is bleak and challenging, moments in this drama are moving, but I came away from it feeling strangely positive. Criminal activities aside, I hope my golden years are exciting as this!

Truelove starts with a question that nobody wants to answer - could you and should you kill a friend if they asked you to? But it doesn't linger. The story moves forwards at a pace that keeps the weight of its moral quandary off of the shoulders of the viewer. It's comical, nostalgic, heartwarming and fun despite its subject matter.

The story, told through a stellar cast, is well balanced and constantly developing through each episode. It resists the temptation to be carried too far into any specific genre whilst giving the audience enough familiarity on which to hang their reference points. Police procedural, thriller, drama, it has hints of each without compromising on its highly original concept. The show strikes a pleasing balance between entertainment and stimulation whilst opening up discussion with viewers both young and old(er).

This UK Channel 4 series starts well but tails off somewhat as it progresses. Certainly a difficult, painful and controversial subject is handled competently without bias and at times with some delicacy. The fact that a retired senior copper is a main player in the deployment is of some interest, given the nature of the law on this subject. The cast was well chosen and mostly very convincing in their portrayal of a group of old friends facing stark choices in their declining years and how to deal with them. I have one reservation - the later stages of this drama tended to stretch credibility, and the ending is - well, frankly - a little disappointing.

Finally a story relevant for people over 40! This is a really good story, and a mystery snuck in for good measure. The acting was a bit stiff in some spots, and it is NOT a comedy. The best part - all the main characters, except one, is over 60. There are some holes in it, and the young police officer is annoying, that's why it only gets an 8. It could have had a better ending where Justice would have been served and Death With Dignity could have been preserved. As we all know justice and the law are two very different things. This has an Awesome soundtrack and it's not about pretty young people. It's more realistic in it's approach and it is a great watch for people that have to deal with their mortality - which is ALL of us. Whilst I'm not in that age bracket, I appreciate what it would take to deal with Death With Dignity. Highly recommend for the story, cinematography and realistic way it deals with it's subject. Would have like to see the younger person be more adult, though. A 28 year old should be way more mature. It's good enough to watch twice.