MovieChat Forums > Bouquet of Barbed Wire (2010) Discussion > Slow start

Slow start

posted 14 years ago by tgrrrsss
14 replies | jump to latest

A decent cast, with Trevor Eve doing that creepy successful thing he does so well, and Hermione Norris and Imogen Poots are ok - although I have some doubts how much Poots pulls off the required amount of sex appeal.
The most miscast person seems to be the boyfriend though, he brings nothing (so far anyway) that makes you think why she'd be with him, likewise the script doesn't really explain either.
6/10 so far - although it's great to see Jemima Rooper on screen, who in some ways might've been better for the role of the daughter

[–] stu_157 14 years ago

I'd probably score it one lower and give it a five. The cast is indeed capable, but every other aspect from the script to the direction is average at best.

And I agree about Jemima Rooper being underused. I thought her career had moved on from drab ITV drama.

Sayonara, not to be confused with cyanide, which is, of course, goodbye in any language.

[–] DeutschlandUberAlles 14 years ago

I agree, it's difficult to imagine why a 17-18 year old would be so infactuated with the boyfriend to the point she'd want to marry him there and then. He comes across as your typical mid-20s, thinks-he's-made, arrogant, "trendy" type. Not really a lot to him to be honest.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] tgrrrsss 14 years ago

Very interesting comments you make as regards Poots Vs Knighley there, and thinking about it I probably agree, and realise now why she is right for the rtole.
Rooper is of course too old for the role of Pru as she is actually 28, so hardly likely to be at school.

[–] rod775-1 12 years ago

I just watched the complete series and can't fathom why Pru fell in love with Gavin in the first place. He was completely nutty (and cruel)in every scene. What was the attraction? Maybe something was edited out before the showing here. And then the mother had sex with him as well. ohmygod. unbelievable.

[–] stu_157 14 years ago

Imogen Poots is about perfect for the role of Prue - whom I don't think we're supposed to see as outstandingly attractive.

We're not?

What makes her so much less attractive than Knightley?

Sayonara, not to be confused with cyanide, which is, of course, goodbye in any language.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] hillrosemary 14 years ago

The most miscast person seems to be the boyfriend

I agree. I have never been Trevor Eve's greatest fan, but I think he's doing a good job here, Imogen Poots is good and Hermione Norris is doing her usual brilliantly understated job, but Tom Riley is, to my way of thinking at least, over-egging the pudding to an embarrassing degree. He reminds me of a poor-played pantomime villain in an amateur dramatic society.

Perhaps he could learn from working with Norris that less is very often more. At the moment he's making me cringe.

[–] pmittens 14 years ago

Goodness it always amazes me how differently viewers see things. I appreciate you wont agree with me, but I cannot fault any of the cast. They are all exactly as I hoped and imagined they would be.

Imogen Poots and Jemima Rooper are beautiful and light up the screen each time they are on. Wonderful actresses both. Hermione Norris hasn't had that much to do yet but I look forward to seeing her in the next episode. She is always excellent.

The best character in the show so far for me, has been Tom Riley as Gavin. I think his portrayal is scarily real; I can see exactly why Prue would fall for this Gavin. Handsome, charismatic and yet with more than a hint of menace. And obviously enjoying every second of the discomfit he is causing. Listened to a BBC Radio 5 live review yesterday, and it was spot on. Praised the writing, direction and all the acting, but highlighted Tom Riley's performance.

The only character that jarred a little was the one played by Nicholas Farrell. The character seemed too ott, but again he is such a great actor, I can forgive anything.

Very much looking forward to the next episode.

[–] hillrosemary 14 years ago

But that's the joy of watching something, isn't it, that we all see things differently! I love Nicholas Farrell too, and his line about 'he doesn't care about his credit rating? What kind of a man is he??" was wonderful.

Perhaps Tom Riley will grow on me in the next two episodes. This is the first time I've ever seen him in anything, so maybe I'm just not used to him. It's all very much a matter of personal taste, isn't it; I've often read people criticizing Hermione Norris as 'wooden' which always makes my jaw drop in sheer incredulity.

Very much looking forward to ths rest, too!

[–] SkippyJonJones 14 years ago

Tom Riley is one of my favorite actors and I've been looking forward to seeing him in this (will have to wait for the DVD, unfortunately). I haven't seen him be anything less than brilliant, so I hope over the next two episodes you all come around on him!

[–] hillrosemary 14 years ago

Could you tell me what else you've seen him in? He's completely new to me ... I'd be interested to know what else he's done.

[–] pmittens 14 years ago

I have had the privilege of seeing him in one or two things, including on stage. I agree with Skippy Jon Jones, he has been uniformly brilliant. He came to my attention in Lost In Austen and an episode of Lewis, and seems to be equally adept at drama and comedy, on stage, TV or in film.

[–] SkippyJonJones 14 years ago

I would recommend the same 2 - Lost in Austen (he plays Wickham) and the Inspector Lewis episode "And the Moonbeams Kiss the Sea." Both roles very different to Gavin and to each other. Definitely worth a look.