BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 » Parade's End Reviews- beware of spoilers!

Davina · August 27, 2012 6:55 pm

A review in The New Statesman. The reviewer is smitten by Benedict's mouth...it is amazing...apparently.

www.newstatesman.com/culture/culture/2012/08/parades-end-smitten-benedict-cumberbatchs-amazing-mouth

Another review by A.A. Gill in The Sunday Times:

'Have you read Parade's End, the omnibus of four novels written by Ford Madox Ford considered by very, very well-read people to be one of the greatest works of the 20th century? No, me neither so you and I can come to the Tom Stoppard adaptation untroubled by bookish concerns for authenticity, all that particularly English discomfort , the intellectual anxiety that a precious and elite bit of your personal culture is being mass-produced for the proles. First thing: it looks fabulous. The settings and the costumes, the appurtenances and the mis-en-scene are scrumptious, far less haute-Victorian and ghastly-gothic than Downton Abbey, and not National Trust Georgeitorian, but, rather, light Edwardian, Arts and Crafts, with that particularly soft-shouldered ennui, all very nicely done. And then it has Rebecca Hall, who is, all on her own, effortlessly watchable, constantly believable and will continue to grow as a great, great actress for as long as she can be bothered to do it. She plays Benedict Cumberbatch's faithless wife (who wouldn't be).
Cumberbatch is the first of the drama's problems: not his performance or his ability to wear a starched collar,as if to the manor born, not even his hair, which so often lets him down; but his character, a rich, cuckolded Tory statistician. Now, civil servant number-crunchers are not easy sells as TV heroes. Benedict does his best, but still, he's a wonk. The next problem is, I suspect, due to the amount of text they've had to squash into the screen. I gather a lot of it is interior monologue. So it was difficult to follow, but only if you tried to follow. After a bit, I found it either to let it catch up with me, like a gayer Game of Thrones. Stoppard has kept the scenes short and intense. A lot of them are very funny, I hope intentionally. I particularly liked a mad pornographic professor who could only sermonise buggery and masturbation, and an amusing suffragette demo on the links that came across deliciously as a cross between GK Chesterton and Benny Hill.
Parade's End works as a series of bright epigrams, set in delightful clothes, country and actors, and I rather love it, although I am dreading the first world war bits, having signed a solemn pledge never again to indulge winsome love affairs against the poetic churning of the trenches. Hopefully Cumberbatch will avoid stepping in Eddie Redmayne and returning as Clifford Chatterley.
This is a co-production with HBO, and I can't help wondering what Americana are going to make of a self-denying, celibate, Tory logistician who corrects the Encyclopedia Britannica over breakfast. Then again, they make take him to their Tea Party bosoms and demand he run for vice-president. All in all, this is an odd confection, as if made from the ingredients from one recipe and the method of another. The result isn't a total success, but it's not altogether unpleasant'.

My comments on this review: sometimes A.A.Gill tries to be too clever for his own good; he seems to be finding fault with the original product (I.e. the books) especially the character of Christopher; what is he on about Benedict's hair?

Finally, I actually did not find it hard to follow at all and I have not read the original books...does that mean I have something wrong with me?

SusiGo · August 27, 2012 7:08 pm

I'd guess there's something wrong with the reviewer, Davina . It's a bit half-hearted, isn't it? Lukewarm, I'd say. Don't think the film's deserved it. From the book I would suppose you either love it or hate it.

JaneCo · August 27, 2012 8:45 pm

Thanks for posting these reviews. When I read The Times review my impression was that the reviewer did not like Benedict in particular (although not critical of his acting ability) rather than concentrating on producing a balanced review of the episode.

"A gayer Game of Thrones"

I've now watched the episode twice and enjoyed it both times.

SusiGo · August 27, 2012 9:07 pm

Don't understand the hair problem either. The hair is very fitting for the part, that's it. It's normal for an actor to change his hair style and colour according to what the character demands. And he has wonderful hair, BTW. Moron (meaning the reviewer).

Davina · August 27, 2012 10:15 pm

Another review, this time from The Guardian and very positive. It also corrects A.A. Gill's error about the mad professor (who is a vicar, dog collar and all).

www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2012/aug/25/parades-end-review?newsfeed=true

kazza474 · August 28, 2012 4:10 am

Davina wrote:
Another review, this time from The Guardian and very positive. It also corrects A.A. Gill's error about the mad professor (who is a vicar, dog collar and all).

www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2012/aug/25/parades-end-review?newsfeed=true

Corrects that yes. But starts off by implying an incorrect statement (Ben on Downton)

I can't say I disagree with some of what AA Gill has written. Ben's character IS very hard to like. Frankly I can't blame his wife. The man's rather insipid.
If Ben can pull off playing this guy & come out smelling of roses then he's worth his weight in gold. He hasn't convinced me of that yet.

Well I do hope there is more to be seen, episode one really didn't have a lot 'happening' as the other review said 'He saved a girl being arrested and that's about it'. The rest was just 'character setting'.

But before the veiled insults start again, as with AA Gill, I don't hate it, I do like it.... just can't 'love it' yet. I won't speak gushingly of something just because of whoever stars in it. Hopefully the groundwork is all laid now and something stronger will be built on it.

Wholocked · August 28, 2012 4:40 am

kazza474 wrote:
Corrects that yes. But starts off by implying an incorrect statement (Ben on Downton)

It doesn't say Ben is on Downton. It says he's the star of this show - meaning Parade's End.

I watched it last night and I enjoyed it. I was pretty tired though and I did let a lot of the dialogue wash over me. Although, I do also recall reading an article (I think about Parade's End) where it was stated that some of the dialogue won't make sense on a first watch.

I did get rather distracted by the plumpers Ben was using! Probably only because I knew he was, but it felt like they didn't add anything to the characterisation but just made it even more difficult than usual for him to get his words out clearly.

I quite enjoyed the golf course scene and Valentine's first appearances - especially in the time period. She seemed very fresh and young and idealistic. I also enjoyed and laughed aloud at her very politely insulting comment to Christopher about how he was one of those who'd sit back and watch the world go to pot, and not lift a finger except to say "I told you so". And his masked reaction to realising she was insulting him. Probably the stand-out scene for me. But again, I was watching it while very tired!

I think I'll have to watch it again when I'm more alert and now that I have an idea of who is who and what is going on. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series', hopefully it does, as one of the reviewers wrote, build on the now-established foundation rather than spend more time in expositional dialogue.

kazza474 · August 28, 2012 5:27 am

Wholocked wrote:
It doesn't say Ben is on Downton. It says he's the star of this show - meaning Parade's End.

No, I meant this comment :
".... but that's about all Parade's End (BBC2) has in common with Downton Abbey. Indeed Benedict Cumberbatch, star of this show, called that one sentimental, cliched, "fucking atrocious" even. Which may be harsh, but he certainly has a point. '
It was repeated out of context. It's widely known that he meant it as a joke .... he doesn't think that of Downton at all.

kazza474 · August 28, 2012 6:10 am

Well geez guys, you don't want to read this review then, lol.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2194477/I-dont-want-rain-Beebs-Parade-Downton.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Wholocked · August 28, 2012 6:14 am

kazza474 wrote:
Wholocked wrote:
It doesn't say Ben is on Downton. It says he's the star of this show - meaning Parade's End.
No, I meant this comment :
".... but that's about all Parade's End (BBC2) has in common with Downton Abbey. Indeed Benedict Cumberbatch, star of this show, called that one sentimental, cliched, "fucking atrocious" even. Which may be harsh, but he certainly has a point. '
It was repeated out of context. It's widely known that he meant it as a joke .... he doesn't think that of Downton at all.

Oh yes. I remember that quote. I remember the first time I read it and knowing it was a joke. I dunno what the hell is wrong with the Brits that they need to find reason to take umbrage at everything people say. A sense of humour is good!

I get what you meant though now

kazza474 · August 28, 2012 6:17 am

Wholocked wrote:
Oh yes. I remember that quote. I remember the first time I read it and knowing it was a joke. I dunno what the hell is wrong with the Brits that they need to find reason to take umbrage at everything people say. A sense of humour is good!

I get what you meant though now

Daily I am reminded of the differences in humour around the world, lol.

Strewth!

Wholocked · August 28, 2012 6:19 am

kazza474 wrote:
Well geez guys, you don't want to read this review then, lol.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2194477/I-dont-want-rain-Beebs-Parade-Downton.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

I started to read that one and then realise that he/she was reviewing the entire series. I've only seen one episode - guessing critics/reviewers got advanced viewing? - so I don't really want to read reviews which cover the whole five episodes until I've seen them all.

From what I have seen so far, some of the comments in the review are valid. Rufus Sewell, in particular, was basically incomprehensible. Completely in character, but incomprehensible all the same.

Anyway, I liked the first episode enough to be interested in seeing the next one

Wholocked · August 28, 2012 6:21 am

kazza474 wrote:
Wholocked wrote:
Oh yes. I remember that quote. I remember the first time I read it and knowing it was a joke. I dunno what the hell is wrong with the Brits that they need to find reason to take umbrage at everything people say. A sense of humour is good!

I get what you meant though now
Daily I am reminded of the differences in humour around the world, lol.

Strewth!

Actually you're right. That kind of sarcastic humour is really very Aussie, isn't it? Maybe we should adopt him.

kazza474 · August 28, 2012 6:21 am

Oh yes, like I said, I will watch the rest; just probably won't buy the DVD.
lol

SusiGo · August 28, 2012 6:37 am

I just hope they put subtitles for the hearing-impaired on the DVD. Was it really so hard to understand or are the commentaries exaggerated?

Davina · August 28, 2012 7:27 am

My objection to A.A. Gill's review is that he did not make it clear that his concern was that it is difficult to like/ empathise with Ben's character Christopher. He seemed at times to muddle his thoughts between character and actor for instance the 'who wouldn't' comment. I liked Christopher's voice in it, slightly Churchillian. Clearly A.A. Gill likes Downton even less ( I think). I also thought Rufus Sewell's mad vicar portrayal was both funny and also very sad. I could understand what he was saying and yes he was incomprehensible...that was the point wasn't it...he is completely off his rocker!

Christopher is a personification of old Tory (18th Century) a man of absolute integrity and honour. What happens to him throughout the story is a reflection of what happened to British society as a result ( in the main) of The First World War.

Personally, I am going to watch the first part at least once more. It is nice to watch something that requires this to get the most out of it (a bit like Sherlock I suppose) instead of much of the sloppy dross that is ladelled out to us on a daily basis on TV.

Re: being hard to understand. I didn't have a particular trouble but the dialogue is much of the era. The words come fast at times and in accents that are sometimes hard to understand nowadays. Practically all programmes get complaints about not being able to hear what is said either in dialogue or voiceovers or whatever. You should have seen the avalanche of complaints over Professor Brian Cox's Universe series or some of David Attenborough's work.

Re: Daily Mail article. So made it definitely into a head-to-head with Downton. Which yes is Tory, but of a different ilk to Tietjens' toryism which is why The Daily Mail won't like it. Benedict would not have found favour in his comparison between old Toryism (such as Tietjen's) and the modern Tory party (in the documentary) and the present government but then they know he isn't a fan generally.

Last edited by Davina (August 28, 2012 7:41 am)

SusiGo · August 28, 2012 7:56 am

Thanks for your detailed opinions, Davina. I just watched the first ten minutes and understood about 90% which is not too bad for a non-native speaker, I guess. I haven't watched Downton Abbey but there has been much comparison in advance which seems a bit awkward as both series seem to be fundamentally different. Apart from the fact that time and place are roughly the same they don't seem to have much in common. PE is a very ambitious and intellectual project which may disappoint or even annoy viewers who expected easy entertainment.
Regarding Benedict there is of course the danger of mixing up actor and character. When reading the book I first found Christopher a bit of a bore, aloof and not very likeable. But then I grew very fond of him and sometimes hardly couldn't bear to read on because I empathised so strongly with him. I think if an actor is able to pull this off and make the viewers gradually like him it would be Benedict.

Sentimental Pulse · August 28, 2012 11:04 am

Not to thread jack but I must voice my displeasure that this project a BBC /HBO joint venture but it was only shown on BBC. I just added HBO yesterday and found to my great annoyance that Parade's End has no air date yet on HBO. Why wouldn't they show it simultaneously? Oh yes that would make sense!

Wholocked · August 28, 2012 12:17 pm

Well, they are all talking with plums in their mouths, as is appropriate to the time period, so I can see it being difficult for those unfamiliar with the accent/language.

But yeah there were times when it was a little hard.

SusiGo · August 28, 2012 2:23 pm

I just realised that my above remark about my understanding 90% of the text may seem a bit smug . It wasn't meant like that. E.g. with "Third Star" and "Stuart" I had massive problems to understand some of the actors but not in this case with Benedict as Christopher. I just wanted to defend our boy.

Last edited by SusiGo (August 28, 2012 2:24 pm)