Stonemouth

When the British get crime drama right, no one does it better, and this is an excellent example

Christian Cooke really is pretty though. I can't tell if it was the dialogue or the acting that was the problem of if it was the pretty people who made it feel so soapy but it was pretty bad if somewhat exciting at a couple points.

Brian Gleason was great, as well as all the older, veteran actors (save the mum). Storyline wasn't fleshed out nor was it compelling, and a better love story would have been Ferg and Stewart. Wouldn't rewatch, but I think I'm glad I did.

As a self-contained miniseries of just two episodes, there had to be a lot of explaining and exposition. This was done by the main character Stewart Gilmour doing a voiceover at many points in the story to explain what had come before or why certain relationships had soured. It's hard to transfer a novel to screen with so little time and this was the formula the screenwriters chose. It wasn't that satisfactory.

The story was complicated with twists and turns. I haven't read the novel but I surmise it handled them better than the show.

The younger male actors were beauteous hunks with a modern proclivity for polysexuality. Chris Fulton playing Ferg was a prime example although Christian Cooke's so blue eyes fascinated too.

We knew the purported crime would be sorted out but it was just so truncated doing it in two episodes.

As for personal relationships, I just can't understand why Stewart never told Ellie to hold on a minute; he'd seen her snogging another guy at the party. Like one of the other reviewers I'd have preferred to see him end up with Ferg.

I watched over two nights. Yes, I enjoyed it but I wouldn't say it's the best.

It's difficult to relate this to any kind of novel. If it is, the screen adaptation is just poorly done. The terrible acting does not help redeem the series at all. The first episode is just a mass of confusion, and the second episode is put together with no continuity or care for credibility. People just seem to show up in places at the right times to make the story keep moving, totally ignoring the need the need for logic. One could excuse that lapse if the show were an entertaining one but since it's at the level of a university drama project, that is not an option at all. Overall, a really horrible series with no redeeming factors at all....other than beautiful people doing what they do best...looking beautiful!