fused
Su Pollard
Posts: 405
|
Post by fused on Jul 20, 2007 12:09:47 GMT
This was a brilliant series. A shame it didn't last long.
My favourite characters were the three footballer's wives. Dirka and Fist were hilarious, and I loved Michelle Gomez as Janice with her lack of confidence, glamourous costumes and cake baking.
|
|
Sarah
Junior Member
Posts: 94
|
Post by Sarah on Jul 20, 2007 15:00:05 GMT
I think The Book Group might be favourite series ever!
I loved all the characters, but I think your right, fused, that the footballer's wives were the best.
Also, completely in love with Jean the bitch sister, and Miles the publisher. The scene where Miles tells Kenny that his book is rubbish, but that they are going to publish it anyway is sooo good. It's all in the delivery and the facial expressions. And when Miles mimes working a wheelchair, I always lose it.
|
|
|
Post by David on Jul 20, 2007 17:33:32 GMT
This was a fantastic series - both are on DVD. I emailed Annie Griffin a while ago asking if she was going to do any more, but she was concentrating on other projects, like Festival (also very, very funny and spot-on). I did hear talk of a Book Group film being made, but that seems to have gone quiet.
It's a bit disconcerting seeing Anne Dudek (Claire) doing her bimbo routines on shows like Friends and Bones now.
|
|
|
Post by pauliepoos on Jul 22, 2007 9:47:15 GMT
I can easily watch the whole 2 series in one go. Considering how short each episode is, it's a major achievement how much you come to care about each of the characters, despite their flaws. Claire, in particular, is such a spectacular cunt to begin with, but she absolutely wins you over. And as for Jean, perfect again.
Janice is my favourite though, her determination to improve her lot and her blindness to what's going on around her is heartbreaking.
The last time I watched it, for some reason, I had subtitles on, and I'd always thought the scene where Claire pulls out her hairpin, she sticks in in Kenny's leg, rather than his tyre, which the subtitles say.
The first episode of Series 2 actually shocked me when it was first shown, what with the olive oil scene and the ability of a man to fuck another with his leg fully in plaster.
|
|
skillex
Su Pollard
World Happiness Dance?
Posts: 258
|
Post by skillex on Jul 22, 2007 10:42:23 GMT
It really was a mighty programme and one of my favourite ever. It's understatement was a key part of its success, I think. It was really funny but the characters all became very affecting.
I liked Janice best too, especially her last scene in episode 2 when she literally drags herself to the door to answer "it would be an honour" to stand as an MSP.
Loved the theme tune too, have tried unsuccessfully to find it a few times now.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2007 15:15:26 GMT
Last winter I had a one-man Book Group all-nighter, watching the entire thing back to back. It is truly a superb series, and the cast are all first rate. Janice in particular for her Catholic guilt sex, and I still don't understand why Anne Dudek hasn't gone on to truly great things - with her tragicomic skillz she is made for House...
What is hugely enjoyable though is watching the budget being at least quintupled between series one and series two. Rab suddenly gets ALL THE CLOTHES IN THE WORLD and Janice moves from a nice house to a truly superb mansion without anyone noticing. And Claire's fantasy hair in the Don Quixote sequences! it's practically a shampoo ad.
|
|
|
Post by David on Aug 3, 2007 15:56:38 GMT
I admit that the last time I was in Glasgow, I went on a bit of a Book Group mini-pilgrimage. I went poking around Waterstone's, and had drinks in the Corinthian. I couldn't find Claire's original flat, which I would like to own.
|
|
Sarah
Junior Member
Posts: 94
|
Post by Sarah on Aug 5, 2007 11:48:21 GMT
I live in Glasgow, and I can’t walk past the Corinthian without thinking of Rab holding court and sipping champagne. I’ve only ever been in there once because it does seem to be full of guys like Jackie McCann.
One of many reasons I love this series is its use of locations. I don’t know where Claire lived but that is totally where she would live. Everything is just spot-on; you can tell that Annie lives (lived?) in Glasgow.
And it’s all so beautifully shot. It somehow manages to be look both dreamy AND real -- if that makes sense.
|
|