Mary Larkin – Google

I’m surprised to read so many negative reviews here about Maryland! I thought it was really good, a touching exploration of sister relationships which can often be fraught. A gradual unfolding of their past, and from sharing their experiences began a process of healing. It shows how misunderstandings and disengagement impacts on close relationships, and how easy it can be to grow apart. It was a bit incredible that Mary had this double life that none of the family knew about. But were they really taking much notice of her? Women risk becoming invisible when they get older. I did not warm to her husband, but his part was well played. It was deep but simultaneously lighthearted. I felt a lot of it was about the freedom to love and be loved, and also the freedoms to make choices. We don’t choose our families . It was significant that Mary in her later life discovered she was adopted and found her biological mother, and had gone back.

I think it’s great that it has been re cast to include black characters, a lot of people complaining about this; that it’s not true to the original, but there’s such a thing as artistic license! However the casting/re writing does not save it. I like Bradley Walsh but he is miscast in this, David Jason is a hard act to follow. Bradley just isn’t right for as Pop. Joanne Scanlan is great as Ma, but Mariette is also miscast, again this could be because Catherine ZJ was so good. The script seems disjointed. I will carry on watching it tho as it still has a feel good factor and nice for this time of the year. It might get better!