An ambitious series without trying to be epic, Our Friends (for short) is a finely detailed work of art set in Newcastle. The 4 principal characters begin as working class youths in 1964, and we follow them into the 1990s.
Start with Mary, who is the all-purpose female for the plot-- girlfriend, wife, mother, divorcée, and, eventually, lawyer-- but beautifully brought to life by Gina McKee as an intelligent and honorable woman, a friend to all and a survivor. The three men become a braid that brings different arenas into focus: Nicky, a revolution-minded politico (superb Christopher Eccleston); Tosker, a hot-headed and horny businessman (a vigorous Mark Strong); and Geordie, a simple wounded soul (the scene of his father beating him is almost too real) who falls into a life of crime (a versatile Daniel Craig). With their passion for life, all three men defy the stiff-upper-lip stereotype; indeed, all three come to tears at times.
Its strongest qualities include the intricate relationships between parents and children, and couples. The slow demise of Mary's marriage is as balanced and believable as any I've seen in film or on TV.
The quartet of friends, with their family and colleagues, navigate the troubled waters of England in the late 20th century, a world of political and police corruption, labor strikes and housing shortages, crime and what often feels like random punishment. At no point is it predictable, and at no point will you be tempted to turn it off. Especially not when Malcolm McDowell shows up as a detestable London crime boss with charm to spare.
Start with Mary, who is the all-purpose female for the plot-- girlfriend, wife, mother, divorcée, and, eventually, lawyer-- but beautifully brought to life by Gina McKee as an intelligent and honorable woman, a friend to all and a survivor. The three men become a braid that brings different arenas into focus: Nicky, a revolution-minded politico (superb Christopher Eccleston); Tosker, a hot-headed and horny businessman (a vigorous Mark Strong); and Geordie, a simple wounded soul (the scene of his father beating him is almost too real) who falls into a life of crime (a versatile Daniel Craig). With their passion for life, all three men defy the stiff-upper-lip stereotype; indeed, all three come to tears at times.
Its strongest qualities include the intricate relationships between parents and children, and couples. The slow demise of Mary's marriage is as balanced and believable as any I've seen in film or on TV.
The quartet of friends, with their family and colleagues, navigate the troubled waters of England in the late 20th century, a world of political and police corruption, labor strikes and housing shortages, crime and what often feels like random punishment. At no point is it predictable, and at no point will you be tempted to turn it off. Especially not when Malcolm McDowell shows up as a detestable London crime boss with charm to spare.