Ladies in Black

Perhaps I wanted more from this series than it could deliver, perhaps I wanted the film to continue into the TV series, whatever, but this just misses, at every possible mark.

The layout of the store doesn't make me believe in it; The re-imagination of the characters doesn't make me believe in them.

The appalling continuity errors in the first episode made me not believe in it.

I tried, seriously I did. I got through episode 1, I got 8 minutes into episode 2 and just went: "I can't do this". Go right ahead and try and make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. It'll still be a sow's ear, and that's what this show is.

Do yourself the favour. Miss it. Go back and watch the film.

Bit of a fan of the film, so was interested in watching this.

Set a few months after the film.

First disappointment was, it seems, no actors from the film are in this series. I didn't really expect Julia Ormond and Angourie Rice, but thought some of the others in the cast might have reprised their role. I can only assume the producers didn't bother to ask any of them?

The closest we get is "Marlow" character is mentioned in the film and the character gets an on screen presence is in the series. Also I think "Miss Cartwright" character, from the film, is mentioned in the first episode and why her character isn't in the series.

Overall I found it to be a bit more of a soap opera and felt the writing did let the actors down at times.

The acting is fine by the main actors, but some of the other roles I felt there was a bit of over acting happening, and that one or two of the roles were mis-cast.

This is a period piece if you don't like period pieces you will hate it. This drama is set at the beginning of the 60s and you can see the mind set in many of these people. This shows how minds are being changed from very narrow to more worldly. If you liked other period pieces from down under you will like this series. It reminds me of the "The Doctor Blake Mysteries" series in many ways. The language and mannerisms are well done and the "Sexual" problems are well dealt with. A pushy supervisor is dealt with as a simple firing when today they would be arrested and a large settlement would happen. All in all not a bad piece and the next "year" should be better.

As someone who watched the 2018 film and enjoyed it... This version in my opinion is really not it.

The 600 characters writing this are sad that this review has to exist. The only interesting thing was cinematography and the stunning shots of the store and the set pieces.

But I feel like even though the movie was in 2018, the decision to make a series 4-ish years on was a rushed one and sometimes it really shows.

It feels slow, characters are wooden and it's just really hard to like. But there are actors who you know and you're like "omg is that?" and yes it is!

Miranda Otto plays Virgina Ambrose brilliantly and is the one of many shining lights in the disappointment of the series.

This is a delightfully light & entertaining yet accurate & dark portrayal of Australia's behaviour to post war immigrants & women seeking financial independence through work.

Set in the early 1960's there are glorious vintage gowns, heritage facades & stylish cars to create a delicious backdrop.

Although filmed elsewhere.. ( regional VIC?) I could have sworn it was filmed in Sydney's iconic Elizabeth Street store.

I remember the piano playing as you entered and took the escalator up to the temple of fashion with its gorgeous gowns kept safely out of reach of young girls greedy eyes & suspected sticky fingers.

As the story of each woman unfolds, we witness the past gender power imbalance & snobbery that was commonplace at the time while being gently soothed by fabulous dresses, hair & makeup.

The fashions may have changed but the memories & bad behaviour sadly linger. I am reminded to be grateful to those who cut a path before me & that everything and nothing changes when it comes to relationships.