Joel Greenberg

i've come to this limited series far too late -- but i am so grateful to have added it to my viewing -- watching the fine ensemble, most of the leading actors early in their careers, has been an added pleasure. thefirst few episodes reminded me of the british new wave films, so raw, unslick, unhurried. the episode set in 1984 possibly the most compelling, the most emotionally wrenching. christopher eccleston is just brilliant in the scene in which he addresses his father's lack of affection for him - here again, echoes of the richness achieved in the lindsay anderson/karel reisz films from the early 60's. as the single woman in the quartet, gina mckee establishes the understated, clear and magnetic quality she has brought to everything she does and has done. daniel craig is especially remarkable in the final episode. his transformation may be helped by severe makeup, but he displays a range that the earlier episodes hadn't prepared me for. mark strong has the most unlikely role, given all i've seen since - wonderfully out of control, struggling for something close to honesty, he has helped me to see all that he so rarely gets to exhibit. again, i feel that i'm sending these comments into a void - still, i'vehad the great pleasure.