MovieChat Forums > The Best of Men (2012) Discussion > So glad I didn't miss this

So glad I didn't miss this

posted 12 years ago by mike_cooter
13 replies | jump to latest

Quite a small place, Great Britain. Just a handful of national TV channels, and when a BBC drama gets heavy promotion it is quite likely that it'll be noticed.

Coming straight after the awesome Olympics and immediately prior to the Paralympics was a master stroke of scheduling. And I'm so pleased I decided to watch as this was a brilliant and moving drama.

On the face of it, this was a straightforward dramatised account of a Doctor inspiring his patients to go beyond their depression and re-find, or redefine, themselves in the face of their problems.

A pivotal moment for me was Rob Brydon's fear of how he - leaving the hospital for the first time in a wheelchair - would be seen by 'normal' society.

It made me realise that he meant me. And he was right. I have no doubt that there is a part of me that does see disabled people as different, that I see a chair before I see the person.

It's not a conscious act, it's a lazy act - and one that I'm glad has been brought to my attention.

For me, good drama often means learning a truth about the world. Great drama can cause you to realise a truth about yourself.

[–] ib011f9545i 12 years ago

Agree 100 per cent.
I thought I would watch the first few minutes but I was hooked all the way through.
It made me think again about my attitude to the PARALYMPIC games.
This was a well made,well written and well acted drama.
The German doctor hero of the piece seems like an amazing character.
I can imagine a Hollywood version of this but it won't happen because the story is too British.
Well done BBC.

[–] movie80 8 years ago

Agree 100 per cent.

[–] badgerking10 12 years ago

I set the recorder, expecting it to be watchable enough. But, it was so much better than that - really excellent..! As you'd expect from the BBC, the period detail was fab... It was beautifully written. (So often these days, dramas which might otherwise have been decent enough are spoiled by poor writing...) The acting was wonderful... Rob Brydon's the best thing in "Gavin & Stacey" by a long way and I don't think I've ever seen either Eddie Marsan or Niamh Cusack give a less than good performance. But, the rest of the cast was really good too... Moving, funny, uplifting, thought-provoking and reminding us of many issues that are still relevant today - I absolutely loved it!

[–] martin_66 12 years ago

Couldn't agree more with the above comments.

This was one of the very best things I have seen on tv in many a long while, if not ever. Although we are all aware of Stoke Mandeville and the Paralympics, this gave us the story of how one created the other, and the amazing work of Dr Guttmann, which I am sure most of us are not aware of.

It was also worth watching for the acting - Rob Brydon was superb as always, and if Eddie Marsan doesn't win at least a BAFTA for his truly outstanding performance there will be no justice in the world. The fact that he also looked almost identical to the German doctor was truly inspired casting.

Bravo BBC. Well done and thankyou.

[–] benthedudezz 12 years ago

Fantastic bit of telly. I almost missed it! Just happened to switch it on just as it started. The closing scenes with footage of modernday paralympians almost had me in tears

[–] diayag 12 years ago

Amen in spades. I was hooked after the first few minutes, a pleasure to see Eddie Marsan not playing the usual weasel-y roles he gets pigeonholed with. Delightful to have a movie with a positive outcome that isn't sappy, romantic or maudlin. This was a jewel. Will rewatch at least once before it goes off iplayer, worth every minute.

[–] laura1-07 12 years ago

I agree. It was a wonderful drama. The BBC at it best.

Dogs have owners, Cats have staff!

[–] rdavies23 12 years ago

Whenever I watch drama like this, I feel as if the licence fee is very good value indeed.

Compelling stuff.

I was concerned that Brydon was just going to play a 1940s Uncle Bryn in a wheelchair, but his performance was nuanced and - simply - perfect.

Marson was outstanding.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] flowers_on_the_razorwire 12 years ago

I caught this last night by accident and I am so glad I stayed up to watch it. It was excellent.

[–] Flossieandflo 12 years ago

It really was very good, very well cast - agree with rdavies, Rob Brydon proved he is much more than just a comedy actor in this part.

[–] beebell 12 years ago

A wonderful programme which made me want to know more about Dr Guttman. Beautifully played by Eddie Marsan. I was glued to it from start to finish.

[–] mjd_subs2 10 years ago

I haven't seen this movie yet. It showed up on my Netflix recommendations and I wanted to see what others were saying about it first. Your post makes me want to watch it.

Several years ago I saw an interview with an author of the book "Blink" and it has stuck with me all this time. I recommend the book quite often as it addresses how we, as a society, make snap judgments about the world around us without really thinking about it.

http://www.amazon.com/Blink-The-Power-Thinking-Without/dp/0316010669

Thanks for posting your comments. I will add this to my queue today!

Get busy living, or get busy dying. Andy (The Shawshank Redemption)