Yes, I’ve been Van der Valking a bit because it’s a slice of our lives, the early 70s and early 90s … the episode already shown here was 1972 and this is 1992 … much water had been passed under the bridge inbetween.
The episode I clicked out of quickly, from series five, the final series of three, had VdeV trying to team up with an offsider, not unlike with Morse … they’re trying it as well below with greater success … plus they’ve put VdeV’s screen son in this … a youngish, more brash version of dad … jury’s out but methinks it would have worked, had they given it a few more episodes.
By doing it this way, father and son at some distance from one another, each with his own team (entourage), wife in a strange middling position … there were far more characters to get a line on, esp. in the plot, which involves members of a city firm, plus their family members.
One major plus of this short fifth series is location shots around Amsterdam … usually a lovely addition to a show, pity about the film copy (feature length by the 90s). For some reason, reviews of series four, after a good start, were fairly ordinary … this is rated better but maybe they were attempting too much … jumping the shark?
One thing methinks they avoided fairly well in this one was DEI, perversions … it was mainly adultery in this one, also starting to portray men as either violent or weak, women as strong, except when they break.
Still trying to get a handle on the early 90s … clearly once Blair arrived, it fell apart in the UK but I was overseas, so missed the second half in the west. What were you doing?
I may be wrong (not unusual) but I always had the impression that Barry Foster was right up there with the worst of Theatrical “luvvies”.
I might have had something to say at the cocktail party.
After a few vol au vents and cheese and pineapple on sticks, of course. And a glass of Blue Nun.
……
JH: That’s one I’ll have to explore.
Abigail’s Party springs to mind.
Perhaps you could run that James? It must be available out there surely?
For 1970’s amusement of course.
I have watched that once and once is enough, thank you. I am sure that there is more to learn from another watching but I don’t think I could bear it. Please don’t mention it again.😂
……
JH: With Andy on this one I’m afraid. Mike Leigh, director, on it:
“The first thing I’d say is, this is not a film. And not only that: for a film-maker, it’s a work of deep embarrassment and pain. There is no piece of work for which I have been responsible as director by which I’m embarrassed, apart from Abigail’s Party. Not for the play or its content […] It is a stage play that was wheeled into a television studio. It’s slightly compromised as a play, but not too seriously. However, as a piece of craft, it’s simply appalling.”
Just watched some of it again and those accents! The attempt at Essex estuary comes out as a sort of strangulated Strine. I’d be interested in hearing an Ozlander attempt Essex … see how it goes.
Aaargh! I was almost tempted to look for it on utub to check out the accents. No more, please stop it.
Whoops!
Sorry Chaps! Lol