David Robarts

Gripping, dangerous, insightful, insidious, harmful, touching, cruel, mesmerising, thought provoking, challenging to watch, detailed characters, real, moving, family centred, gritty, life affirming! At times very difficult to watch with scenes of deliberate suicide, torture, psychological intimidation, loss and heartache and redemption. This marriage of exquisite acting and masterful directing, coming from the pen of Maestro Jimmy McGovern, is a must watch for those who are addicted to the gritty realism of real life dramas that take twists and turns with skillfully crafted subtleties that only make you want to see more unfold. Sean Bean and Stephen Graham are beautifully cast giving an acting masterclass in their respective roles taking the viewers to places that would otherwise be truly uncomfortable and unbelievable had it been any other actor given the same roles. I am certain that after watching this short but incredibly thought provoking drama, that the viewer will be left with many quite searching questions of the prison system as a whole and how and if the prison system as a whole is reforming or educating its inmates to a life of criminal schooling or rehabilitation for the betterment of the society we live in currently!!