Discussion
On my way out of HMV I saw State of Play for £5. I'd seen it at the cinema and enjoyed it although I'm by no means a Crow fan. Helen Mirren, on the other hand, is always good value. So went up to the counter and bought it but, as I was late to meet my wife, I didn't really look at it.
So imagine my disappointment to find that it was a television series that had been transmitted in 2003. I’d not seen it at the time.
Six episodes seemed a bit of an effort but I thought I’d give it a run.
The cast is quality. It’s got Bill Nighy as Helen Mirren, Kelly MacDonald who is excellent in everything she’s done, David Morrissey, John Simm, James McAoy and more.
Had a spare hour last night so thought I’d put the first episode. I ended up watching the first three and we’ve ‘cleared the decks’ for the other half tonight.
It is brilliant. Knocks the film for six. Worth every penny and more.
Marc Warren takes an excellent part. Michael Feast as a Mandelson type character is really creepy – about half as much as the real Mandy but that is about as good an any actor could get.
There’s no weak actor. John Simm, in the Crowe roll, has the role personified. Even the bit parts – the girl in the gopher role is a bit of light humour - are all spot on. Amelia Bullmore is wasted in the role but just shows how good casting is.
There are a couple of parts which are a bit thin. Deborough Finlay as the MP’s secretary and Polly Walker as the MP’s wife are rather one-dimensional but this could mean they develop a bit more in the second half.
I would have given the Mirren State of Play around 3-4 stars. The BBC series beats it comfortably.
Recommended.
So imagine my disappointment to find that it was a television series that had been transmitted in 2003. I’d not seen it at the time.
Six episodes seemed a bit of an effort but I thought I’d give it a run.
The cast is quality. It’s got Bill Nighy as Helen Mirren, Kelly MacDonald who is excellent in everything she’s done, David Morrissey, John Simm, James McAoy and more.
Had a spare hour last night so thought I’d put the first episode. I ended up watching the first three and we’ve ‘cleared the decks’ for the other half tonight.
It is brilliant. Knocks the film for six. Worth every penny and more.
Marc Warren takes an excellent part. Michael Feast as a Mandelson type character is really creepy – about half as much as the real Mandy but that is about as good an any actor could get.
There’s no weak actor. John Simm, in the Crowe roll, has the role personified. Even the bit parts – the girl in the gopher role is a bit of light humour - are all spot on. Amelia Bullmore is wasted in the role but just shows how good casting is.
There are a couple of parts which are a bit thin. Deborough Finlay as the MP’s secretary and Polly Walker as the MP’s wife are rather one-dimensional but this could mean they develop a bit more in the second half.
I would have given the Mirren State of Play around 3-4 stars. The BBC series beats it comfortably.
Recommended.
AV12 said:
Agreed the film was a diappointment but the original BBC TV series was one of the greats. Chances are it will never be shown again.
£5? Bargain.
Did you see the series first and then the film? I must admit I think I would have been disappointed.£5? Bargain.
The odd thing is that I would probably not have bought the series had I realised what it was.
Bit of luck.
As you say, a bargain. 6 hours of quality entertainment. When the BBC pull it off they really get it spot on.
I saw the series when it was first shown in BBC2, from what I remember. I think back then you could rely on BBC2 for a good drama series.
I actually only saw the film earlier this year and for me didn't go into the required detail that six hours does. The cast of the TV series is a great one and arguably launched John Simms' mainstream TV career.
In summary the film was quite rubbish when compared, but standalone, its pretty average.
I actually only saw the film earlier this year and for me didn't go into the required detail that six hours does. The cast of the TV series is a great one and arguably launched John Simms' mainstream TV career.
In summary the film was quite rubbish when compared, but standalone, its pretty average.
Thanks for the tip - just ordered it from HMV on line at £3.99 for 2 DVDS a bargain.
Loved it when it was 1st on and thought the film would be dire but once I accepted it was Americanised and not the same (or as good) didn't think it too bad.
The tv series was written bythe guy who wrote Shameless too which is a bit different!
Does anyone remember David Morrisey's TV debut years back in 'One Summer' (I think) about two Liverpudlian scrotes on the run in Wales. I seem to remember he and the other lead had just been plucked from school and he was about 16 or something. 'Had a heck of a career since.
Edited to add that, having sometimes thought about this series which I liked as a 'youngster' I've just done a search and found this site
http://one-summer.tv83.net/cast.htm
and it seems he was a bit ahead of what I thought and had been 'trained' including RADA so hardly the 'plucked from school' bit!
Mind you he does look a bit younger ..
Loved it when it was 1st on and thought the film would be dire but once I accepted it was Americanised and not the same (or as good) didn't think it too bad.
The tv series was written bythe guy who wrote Shameless too which is a bit different!
Does anyone remember David Morrisey's TV debut years back in 'One Summer' (I think) about two Liverpudlian scrotes on the run in Wales. I seem to remember he and the other lead had just been plucked from school and he was about 16 or something. 'Had a heck of a career since.
Edited to add that, having sometimes thought about this series which I liked as a 'youngster' I've just done a search and found this site
http://one-summer.tv83.net/cast.htm
and it seems he was a bit ahead of what I thought and had been 'trained' including RADA so hardly the 'plucked from school' bit!
Mind you he does look a bit younger ..
Edited by Lost_BMW on Sunday 8th August 21:23
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