Rachel Schaufeld

Well acted, not sure why it is perceived as a comedy, Lesley Manville's portrayal of Mary, the struggling little soul in the late autumn of her 'attractive woman' years, drowning in drink and desperate loneliness is tragic. I feel the story doesn't add up. Tom and Gerri, the contented couple who have done so well for themselves should be enjoying a social life filled with happy couples just like them, But then that's never Mike Leigh's style. He's addicted to giving us social contrast character portraits cos that's what make a Mike Leigh drama.

Just when I thought I'd seen enough Pablo Larrain pulled out some smash surprises, the late night dresses sequence, the love from Maggie the royal dresser, the happy getaway back to London. The music worked brilliantly, highlighted the grinding loudness inside Diana's head. A film that operated largely through artistic exaggeration, IMO a successful gamble.

Full on French 1900. Sex, murder, corruption, anti-Semitism, misogynistic patriarchy, prostitution with all its risks as a woman's best chance of success, chronic heavy drinking and - the fight for justice! Paris only sleeps when she's dead. Is this the new normal? What is the ordinary guy or gal to do? My money's on the bargemen to turn up the next piece of a truly addictive series.