The Crimson Petal and the White

... a production uneven through four parts... the acting overall is fairly consistently good, it's the very thinly written story that is the weak element... the first couple parts are decent, then attempting to stretch things out for another two episodes the cracks show, as there's just not enough material to get four segments out of it... suffice saying, a good two hour movie would have been exceptionally better

... believability's suspect, there's just lots here that isn't... starting with Garai's character Sugar, just not making a lot of sense... a good hearted hooker looking like she does, never being 'discovered' very unlikely, and the ending with her and the child is just absurd, as well as the wife just-walking-off

... Garai really deserving another better-longer series like 'The Hour' (still her best TV work)... TCPATW not showcasing her abilities in best light.

I rarely write reviews. However...within two episodes, the BBC licence this year has been worth paying. And with gratitude. Quite fond of a Victorian drama, everything about this series is magnificent. The detail–underarm hair on women, the ugly charm of London in the nineteenth century, the wide open shots of the streets simply for a scene where one woman walks across the road–offering a tantalising view that the viewer could actually be there, the lighting, the makeup, the production, the acting, the direction... I did not recognise Gillian Anderson at all and had to refer to my paper. How far she has come. Chris O'Dowd I thought was an odd choice to begin with–but how he fitted in. Robert Sterne has to be congratulated. It is without a shadow of a doubt that the next two episodes will not disappoint. I must rush out and buy the book. First class.

Loved it. Exactly what I want in a movie. I had read the book first and was not disappointed with the movie as is sometimes the case. I've re-read the book and re-watched the movie many times. Bravo!

I'm so glad I was not dissuaded by the brutality and raw portrayals that set the scene for this series. Once the moral and physical decay is established this story soars on the courage and ingenuity of our heroine using all her wit and intelligence to survive in a world controlled by the baser nature of men. Masterfully played by Romola Garai, we quickly become invested in this woman who becomes an angel for those who are trapped by and in their lives. Chris O'Dowd, Amanda Hale, Mark Gatiss, Shirley Henderson and Gillian Anderson are just some of the stellar supporting cast. The production brilliantly captures the mood through its costumes and sets. The original work was a novel by Michel Faber which Lucinda Coxon skillfully adapts to the small screen. A dark and disturbing portrayal of the vices and decay of Victorian London, Chris O'Dowd put it best, "It is a wonderful love story which is almost entirely bereft of love". I give this series an 8 (great) out of 10. {Victorian Drama}

As a fan of Victorian-era drama, this 4-part adaptation of a Michel Faber book of the same name is right up my street. It is the story of a London prostitute called Sugar (played by Romola Garai) who takes the fancy of a well-to-do merchant Mr Rackham (Chris O'Dowd) and how their relationship develops. What starts of as a purely sexual thing, soon become much more than that and Sugar becomes increasingly involved in Mr Rackham's home and business life. The whole production is fantastic - from the stylistic direction right down to the set design, costumes, music and acting. Romola Garia and Chris O'Dowd particularly stand out, as does Amanda Hale as the mentally disturbed wife. I have just finished watching the 3rd episode and did not want it to end, it was that gripping. I can't wait to read the book and only hope it is half as good as this series. I will definitely buy this when it comes out on DVD and watch it again. All in all, highly recommended!