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btneedham
Reviews
Tipping the Velvet (2002)
an enchanting experience
I saw the series - all three episodes back to back - when it was re-broadcast by the BBC just before Christmas, and it held me spellbound. Since then I've watched the DVD at least half a dozen times. A subject that could so easily have drifted into melodrama has become an enchanting classic . The direction oozes class, particularly in the scenes of Nan and Kitty's stage rehearsals, the music has a haunting charm, and the acting is mostly glorious (Alexei Sayle was clearly only in it to show how good the rest of the cast was),. It's Andrew Davies's masterpiece.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
a sad disappointment
A real let-down after the magnificent Fargo - one of my all-time favourites - and the highly entertaining The Big Lebowski. For me, Clooney's performance is nondescript and the movie desperately lacks someone in the lead role with screen charisma. The film plants ideas early on that take an eternity to come to fruition - such as the musical talents of the Soggy bottom boys - and consequently lacks pace. Other characters are underdeveloped and sloppily introduced. A big shame.