Happy ExPat

Reviews and other content aren't verified by Google

I find it difficult to stray from the original book by Dickens and, indeed, the original film with a young Jean Simmons and Martina Hunt as Miss Havisham, which was such a superb performance! Not over the top creepy but just creepy and disturbed enough. This version, with Helena Bonham Carter, who in my eyes can do no wrong, with exception of “Sweeney Todd”, but only because she can’t sing a note, and a humane interpretation of Estella, by Holliday Grainger, who shocked me as I’d only seen her in “The Borgias”, as Letizia, did keep my interest but not in the sane way as the original hoping for the moment Martita Hubt came back on screen. I won’t even bother comparing any version or interpretation of this classic with the latest, sadly, with the amazing Olivia Coleman who was completely misguided in the recent version, mini series, ( I pray it was the director and not her choices). So this version is worth watching but not my #1 choice of this Dicken’s classic. If you have the time, watch this version, plus the other 2 I’ve mentioned and choose for yourselves. In ending, I must ask myself how Dickens came up with this story in the 1st place, which is so particular and, to me, more Poe than Dickens as it’s so horrific, the whole story. Cheers! - Gary

I am sorry but it left me rather vacant. I cannot help but think that every word from, I shall say, 4 of them, was planned. Seeing them today, as I am the same age as they are and am from NYC as their characters are meant to be, I was shocked. Lisa Kudrow and Matt Leblanc looked real. Ok, maybe a botox here and there but they look the same. When I saw Matthew Perry enter, I was so terribly sad as he looks like a mannequin that's been partially melted. I know he's had problems but we all have problems and don't come out of them looking like that. Same goes for Courtney Cox, who is unrecognizable as is David Schwimmer. Were they in some war I don't know about? Did they use Donatella Versace's plastics guy? Aniston, yeah, work has been done but she is the youngest. I, and I say this for everyone who has work done that is unforgivable......don't they have mirrors? When I read that each cast member made about 3 million for this reunion...I was stunned and I hope they have it to some Covid charity. Nice to see Tom Selleck alive and well (pls excuse my spelling errors). I, like many, thought it would be a film/mini series of how the "Friends" are today...not an extended interview which I applaud James Corden for doing well. Not addressing certain issues like shooting the show after 9/11, living in NYC in the 90's without even a mention of HIV when many of us were going to multiple funerals a week, the recreation of Midtown, making Times Square into an extension of Disney Land and the list goes on .......addressing the the rumors about "who was not invited to someone's wedding".....etc. added to the "all is wonderful" atmosphere of this reunion. Was surprised to see Malala there but happy to know that the show (and I have to believe her because she is, indeed, Malala) had an impact on her life. For me, seeing 6 friends living in NY in the 90's was simply like watching my own life without the authentic things that people in their 30's, in the 1990's, living in NYC were dealing with. I am glad that this reunion have joy to my husband who is Italian and saw it, 2 years later than the US, in Italian and loved it. He is enjoying this reunion special, even if he is a bit disappointed that it is not a "Friends:2021"...as I mentioned I thought it would be, too...ala "Will and Grace", "Gilmore Girls", and some others. So, 2 stars.....1 for having the patience, speaking about me, to watch it, seeing the beautiful 30yo's aging...badly (4 of them) and the other for just remembering where I was from 1994 to 2004...and how things have changed for me since then...some good some bad. If people live it, then I am happy for them. It left me empty and I don't think a show like "Friends" would be accepted, today as it is too fantastical. I apologize and promise anyone reading this that I do have a sense of humor and am not an activist but this was not entertaining, for me and the 3 million price tag for each actor's attendance, pissed me off. That's it..i've been repetitive and I am sorry. To all of you who loved it..like my spouse, I am happy for. Cheers! Ciao from Italy.