Judy Macdonald

Despite the great cast, absolutely excruciating. Couldn't bear to watch more than about 20 minutes (and that was pushing it).

The stars are for the amazing sets. I hated the film.

This is a very compelling programme with a constant unsettling undertone of menace. Set in the late 50s against a backdrop of the nuclear threat and the dead and chilling hand of government (MI5) interfering in the seemingly normal lives of a Russian Jewish family who had fled the pogroms of Eastern Europe in WWII. I won't be able to not watch every episode but I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to relax while doing it.

I'll watch anything with Mark Strong in - things as varied as Fever Pitch and The Long Firm - I've never not thoroughly enjoyed watching his acting. This is surprising in its darks and lights but I'm hooked - pressing the green button...

I think it's probably very realistic; there does usually seem to be one totally irrational parent. The acting is excellent which is probably why the mum (brilliant turn from Sharon Horgan) irritated the hell out of me. Michael Sheen really great but, with more equivocal views, was not 'allowed' to express them and pretty much steamrollered. The scant attention on older sister reflected well the actual lack of attention she (as for most in that situation) had to endure and 'smile' through.