Christine R

This film has a certain innocence which has been lost. I really have to laugh when I read comments that say that Holly was only interested in money. They obviously didn't get the meaning of the first scene, or Holly's declaration that "Nothing bad can ever happen to you in Tiffany's." Here is a girl who is basically lost; she has a lot of shallow acquaintances, but no real friends until Paul comes along. She gets the "mean reds" and has an uncertain future. What she is really looking for is SECURITY, and to her that is represented by money. (Which is the very reason she is trying to snag a rich husband)! But she is not counting the pennies in her bank account, the way a truly money-mad person would. She views Tiffany's as a "safe place" the way others would view church (because of all the money associated with Tiffany's). It is up to Paul to teach her that she can find security in the love of another human being. Okay, this message may be a bit sappy for today's modern jaded (and boring) standards. But I loved the actors, the music, the scenes, fins on taxis, and reminiscing about a time in the U.S. which is lost forever.

Not sure what to make of this series. It's getting to be more of a soap opera thinly disguised as a cop show. I wish that the actors would enunciate a little better; if you are going to offer some profound insight through breaking the fourth wall, it should at least be understandable. As for Nicola Walker being a good actor -- this is true, as far as her usual "schtick" goes. But does she ever do anything that doesn't involve a hesitant, halting, face-like-misery portrayal? It's as if Gillian or Cassie has simply been transported to the Scottish coast. The season finale "bombshell" (hardly) of hunky Michael being Morgan's father...well, of course. Ho hum. Do colleagues ever interact professionally, without needing to sleep with each other? Not sure if I'll keep watching if the soap continues.

Very well-acted and intriguing series. You can tell that all the people involved in this production are absolute perfectionists...from the scenery, camera work, plot lines, acting, casting, dialogue, and the remarkable chemistry between the main two characters (Liebermann and Rheinhardt) who are both very different, but whose teamwork is thoroughly enjoyable to watch, and droll at times! The series highlights the horrors of the treatment of the mentally ill at the time, as well as the dawn of the method of psychologically "profiling" a killer. The choice of Matthew Beard as Max is pure genius; with his languid blue eyes and faraway look, you can really envision him in the role of a "seer." The character of Clara is also well-drawn; she is a courageous, direct woman who is strong even in her pain. It will be interesting to watch how Max's relationship with Amelia develops...in "rescuing" Amelia (and subsequently falling in love with her), is Max really trying to rescue himself? Oh physician, heal thyself!

Love this series! Too bad they didn't continue it. (I have a sneaking suspicion that this is a far more accurate depiction of the British aristocracy than Downton Abbey). The characters are deliciously quirky and a total riot; who, after all, has not felt like poor beleaguered Emsworth from time to time? As an example of how talented the players are -- how is it possible that the clueless, air-headed Freddie is played by the same actor who brought George Warleggan to life, in all his crafty nastiness? Blandings is a treasure that will make you laugh out loud, even as you are tinged with a certain poignant sympathy for the characters at whom you are laughing.

The most witty and whimsical treatment of crime-solving on tv! It is a light-hearted romp that doesn't take itself too seriously, and which weaves in many nods to "the Bard" which will delight Willy the Shake fans. The characters are fun (especially Sebastian!) and have great chemistry. Lu would be right at home as a Disney princess, with her golden curls, sweet face and sunny temperament. And yet she is one clever and tough lady! And Frank manages to be streetwise and thoroughly cuddly at the same time, which is no mean feat. This is one show whose ostensible topic is murder and other crimes (with fairly complex plots and surprising outcomes), and yet allows you to go away feeling good after viewing. No nightmares here! So pull up a chair at the "Mucky Mallard" (the gang's favorite watering hole) and enjoy the ride.

This is a very entertaining series, and I would add a star if one is a fan of the Victorian era. It is fast-paced and keeps your attention, with snappy dialogue and a pleasing tension between the two principals. The creators have done an excellent job of giving it a realistic edge, instead of the usual tea and rosewater romanticization of this era. (I suspect the latter treatments have been created by men who long for a time when women were constrained in corsets and had no rights). As such, it is very much in sympathy with the Wildean plays that demonstrate the brutal double standards imposed on women of the time. Sadly, many of these attitudes endure today, which is why the series will resonate with many female viewers, as well as intellectually honest male ones. The grittiness of the times, especially for women, is on full display. One gets the sense that it is the desperation of her station, as much as her father-inspired interest in crime-solving, that compels Miss Scarlet's irrepressibility and devil-may-care behavior. It is clear that she would much rather die doing the thing she loves, than moulder away in a loveless, slave-like marriage for her board. She has a spirit that has developed in the face of some stark choices. People who are used to privilege and who have never been pushed to the brink of such desperation will not understand this, but those who have will realize that this is an accurate and believable portrayal. P.S. It is quite hilarious that the depiction of a strong woman will bring out the criminality in some people, like the commenter who wanted to leave Miss Scarlet in a cell to die, all while saying that SHE needs to be more "gentle and caring" (unlike the commenter, apparently). This merely corroborates my statement above about the persistence of backwards attitudes and unthinking double standards to this day.

I did not read the books, but the series is a stand-alone as far as I'm concerned. It is warm-hearted, beautifully-acted, and well done, with gorgeous scenery and enjoyable moments of comic relief. The characters are endearing and refreshingly human and decent, making the show a much-needed break from the violent, stupid, and sophomorically sexed-up garbage on elsewhere. This show makes you want to walk through your TV screen and into the world of Darrowby! I love Samuel West as Farnon; he is curmudgeonly at times but with a heart of gold. And I love the way Mrs. Hall makes her "soft influence" felt -- showing that she is often the glue that holds things in the household together. It's simply hilarious the way the negative comments on this board basically boil down to "The series is not exactly like the books --waaaaaaaaa!!!!" and "The women are strong, instead of being sweet and feminine like in the books." Really? How silly, and out of touch with the real world. As if there WOULDN'T be any strong women in a farming community. My great-aunt ran a farm around the time the series was set; she was known to be a tough haggler with the men down at the market, and I guess she was just too busy running the farm to worry about being "sweet and feminine." So it is totally believable to show strong women in this setting. (Except, perhaps, for a scarcely-veiled misogynist)! Helen may be strong, but she is always a lady. (The two are NOT mutually exclusive). And someone wrote about a "Christmas wedding" being too schmaltzy...did this person actually watch the episode? What exactly is schmaltzy about a wedding breaking up? Sheeeesh. And picking on the opening tune -- really? Maybe something from the world of heavy metal would be more appropriate? smh In spite of these misguided assessments of the series, one can seriously enjoy it without having to read the books, and those who have read the books, and use them only to criticize, are really missing out.

Love this series! So entertaining. Funny, witty, gorgeous clothes and spell-binding plot lines. I wish they would bring back more seasons. Essie is terrific and the supporting cast is great too. I even love the way the butler is called "Mr. Butler." :) For the guy who objected to the series being driven by "feminist" ideals, I would say, "lighten up!" It is supposed to be escapism, for crying out loud. Do you think James Bond is any more realistic? Give us all the break we need. The way some guys have to wear their mommy issues on their sleeves is an absolute scream.

Didn't care for it, in light of today's sensitivity standards. Absolutely hated the scene in which he harassed and harangued the poor deaf woman. Why should she have to "speak" to communicate? Just because he said so? That showed a totally narrow-minded lack of acceptance of her difference, and of her right to choose the way she communicated in the manner in which she felt most comfortable. It smacked of "mansplaining" and a clear effort to control her (because he was sexually attracted to her). If it had been me, I probably would have stuck a screwdriver into his throat. At the very least, he would have gotten some very eloquent ASL via my middle finger.