crw1

Seriously clever and funny exposé of the ghastly, deceitful current affairs programmes that are somehow so popular. I cringed at them at the time and it was wonderful to have all my cynicism confirmed. Amoral sums them up. Every character fits perfectly into the evil plots. They are all great actors, the repartee is just delightful, perfect timing etc. But the standout for me is Alison Whyte's Emma Ward. Her subtle facial expression changes when listening, her cynical sotto voce asides, beautiful understated delivery, utterly convincing naturalness are acting perfection. Totally convincing in her role. Love the show, specially love Emma.

I'm so over US (mainly cop) shows with bawled commands (stating the obvious), orders that can't be accepted without 'You got it' (alternative, 'On it') and a reassuring pat on the arm (alternative, shoulder) and of course a blazing, predictable gun fight.

Happy Valley is quiet class. Not a word is wasted, nothing is uttered that doesn't need to be. The characters are utterly convincing, even silences are perfect (witness Clare's wordless internal battle with 'What have I done', 'What should or can I say', Should I even say anything?' A masterclass in 'face acting')

The main story, with absorbing sidelines, is gripping with only a rare need for shocking detail and some nasty bits handled with sensitivity.

I have only slight disappointment that some of the foreign villains aren't quite convincingly evil enough but it's so minor. It's safe to say nothing can spoil this flawless writing (some wonderful rejoinders and parting shots) and acting (words, gestures, expressions). It's just wonderful, complete.

When a (supposed) SAS soldier wears his beret like that, you know at the very least, and early on, that the director is sloppy. Like when drivers talk to their passengers, facing them for long seconds (film ends abruptly in fatal crash) or when trained radio communicators say 'Over and out', you know you are in for a sloppy ride. Authenticity? Bah, who needs that? 'Neighbours' quality wooden acting, bad predictable script, unconvincing hard men, exaggerated facial expressions lacking the subtlety that makes them so real. Nothing good about this film, not a single quality to redeem it All been done before and heaps better. And why do people defend these awful B, C, D movies? Does the low budget excuse them, make them watchable? They are bad films, why watch them, what can you get from people (not 'actors') saying bad lines badly? I want to be absorbed in the plot, I want to love or hate the characters as the story means me to, not be indifferent to them. I want to care what happens next and groan when the plot doesn't go my way, rejoice when it does. I so didn't care how it would end, I gave up. It hurt to watch. Maybe it had a great ending and the pain would have been worth it. I'll never know. I feel no loss.