I thought I would give an alternative review as the only other one seems very harsh indeed. Maybe if I read the book I would have been just as disappointed with it but as I haven't I cannot comment about comparisons with the book. But what I can say is that I found the story absorbing and compelling, well acted by all the cast and never less than interesting right up to its unpredictable conclusion. If you like a good mystery thriller then I would recommend seeing this and if you enjoy it enough maybe then read the book afterwards. That's all I really wanted to say but I don't seem to have reached the required ten line rule that is currently being enforced!
6 Reviews
Watch it and then start reading
carolafrey14 October 2014
First I have to say, that I'm a huge fan of Dorothy's books. They are all well written and the language is just perfect. I love her twisted stories that are full of surprises.
I read the "Ice Cream Girls" two years ago, so I couldn't remember all the details when I watched the series. I didn't mind the change at the end about the real murderer. On TV people want to see a happy ending and in the book you had some unfinished issues at the end, so I can see the need for a more conclusive ending.
I really can't say too much about the acting as I'm from Germany and not a native speaker. So I'm happy if the actors don't overact it.
All in all, it was a good adaption. I was happy to see, that a book I really enjoyed reading, made it on TV. If you enjoyed watching it, maybe you can start reading Dorothy's other books. They are all really great.
I read the "Ice Cream Girls" two years ago, so I couldn't remember all the details when I watched the series. I didn't mind the change at the end about the real murderer. On TV people want to see a happy ending and in the book you had some unfinished issues at the end, so I can see the need for a more conclusive ending.
I really can't say too much about the acting as I'm from Germany and not a native speaker. So I'm happy if the actors don't overact it.
All in all, it was a good adaption. I was happy to see, that a book I really enjoyed reading, made it on TV. If you enjoyed watching it, maybe you can start reading Dorothy's other books. They are all really great.
A terrific story.
Sleepin_Dragon26 August 2020
The Ice cream Girls is a three part series that tells the story of two girls and subsequent two grown up women, Serena and Poppy, their strange relationship, with eachother and Marcus Hansley.
It's a wonderful book, and that story translates particularly well into this series. It's moving, gripping, it's a terrific mystery, you will be entertained and gripped until the surprising conclusion. There are plenty of shocks and surprises.
They got the casting spot on, the girls are perfect choices for Lorraine Burroughs and Jodhi May, their acting throughout is terrific. Martin Compston is wonderful, he's known for Line of Duty, but the guy had been around a while and is wonderful, what a monster.
It really got me, it makes you wonder about all sorts of loyalties and loves, what would you do for someone you love? What lengths would you got to?
It's brilliant, 9/10.
It's a wonderful book, and that story translates particularly well into this series. It's moving, gripping, it's a terrific mystery, you will be entertained and gripped until the surprising conclusion. There are plenty of shocks and surprises.
They got the casting spot on, the girls are perfect choices for Lorraine Burroughs and Jodhi May, their acting throughout is terrific. Martin Compston is wonderful, he's known for Line of Duty, but the guy had been around a while and is wonderful, what a monster.
It really got me, it makes you wonder about all sorts of loyalties and loves, what would you do for someone you love? What lengths would you got to?
It's brilliant, 9/10.
A very good series
alinasimonablaj29 December 2022
I can understand how the readers of the book may be disappointed after watching this series. Reading an exciting book and then seeing it being destroyed in the movies.
But I actually enjoyed it. I have to admit I didn't read the book and I can't make a parallel between it and the series but maybe I don't have to. This was another perspective of the Ice Cream Girls story and it can be appreciated even if you haven't read the book.
I really felt for Poppy. Her struggle, her loss, no one believing her side of the story. Seventeen years lost in jail for a crime she didn't commit. It seemed really sad for me.
I did't expect the ending and as I have understood it is different from the book, but I have really enjoyed it.
My advice is to stop comparing movies with the books because you will be disappointed every time. Try to appreciate the series for what it is.
But I actually enjoyed it. I have to admit I didn't read the book and I can't make a parallel between it and the series but maybe I don't have to. This was another perspective of the Ice Cream Girls story and it can be appreciated even if you haven't read the book.
I really felt for Poppy. Her struggle, her loss, no one believing her side of the story. Seventeen years lost in jail for a crime she didn't commit. It seemed really sad for me.
I did't expect the ending and as I have understood it is different from the book, but I have really enjoyed it.
My advice is to stop comparing movies with the books because you will be disappointed every time. Try to appreciate the series for what it is.
Predictable, slow and very forgettable
Sunshine_pink6 May 2013
The Ice Creams is based on the bestselling book by Dorothy Koomson about two girls who, one brief summer, find themselves involved with an abusive, controlling man. The situation spirals out of control and they are trial for his murder; ultimately Poppy gets sent to prison.
Flash forward 17 years; Serena is married with a daughter in a seemingly comfortable life, returns to Brighton (although it was actually filmed in Ireland) to take care of her dying mother. Poppy has been released and she wants answers....she claims not to have killed Marcus, but if she didn't and Serena didn't....then who did? This three part drama based on the book; a book which worked very well and was beautifully crafted. Instead of embracing the story and being loyal to th characters, this adaptation has systematically destroyed the very essence of what made the novel a bestseller...its elegance, the vulnerability of the characters, the ongoing mystery, the likability of both girls and ultimately the twist, Burroughs was very rigid in her performance as the mother in denial, there was nothing likable about her (unlike the Serena in the book). May's delivery as Poppy was plausible but nothing special; her moping got tiresome after a whole; in the book Poppy had zest and personality who loved her father very much....Poppy in this drama was a wet blanket with a seemingly torrid stepfather, to further highlight her hopeless situation. The only credible actor was Martin Compston who played the ill fated maths teacher, even though his screen time was limited.
The ending change was a let down and I cannot imagine any Dorothy Koomson fan being happy about it. The acting/characters are forgettable, the whole drama was not very thrilling and overall it was a big disappointment.
Don't waste your time....read the book and appreciate it for the masterpiece it is and be done with it. I hope they do another remake one day, one will do justice to the book, the author and all the fans who were mesmerised and gripped by the novel form start to finish.
Flash forward 17 years; Serena is married with a daughter in a seemingly comfortable life, returns to Brighton (although it was actually filmed in Ireland) to take care of her dying mother. Poppy has been released and she wants answers....she claims not to have killed Marcus, but if she didn't and Serena didn't....then who did? This three part drama based on the book; a book which worked very well and was beautifully crafted. Instead of embracing the story and being loyal to th characters, this adaptation has systematically destroyed the very essence of what made the novel a bestseller...its elegance, the vulnerability of the characters, the ongoing mystery, the likability of both girls and ultimately the twist, Burroughs was very rigid in her performance as the mother in denial, there was nothing likable about her (unlike the Serena in the book). May's delivery as Poppy was plausible but nothing special; her moping got tiresome after a whole; in the book Poppy had zest and personality who loved her father very much....Poppy in this drama was a wet blanket with a seemingly torrid stepfather, to further highlight her hopeless situation. The only credible actor was Martin Compston who played the ill fated maths teacher, even though his screen time was limited.
The ending change was a let down and I cannot imagine any Dorothy Koomson fan being happy about it. The acting/characters are forgettable, the whole drama was not very thrilling and overall it was a big disappointment.
Don't waste your time....read the book and appreciate it for the masterpiece it is and be done with it. I hope they do another remake one day, one will do justice to the book, the author and all the fans who were mesmerised and gripped by the novel form start to finish.
Yet another tediously slow and uninspiring drama
ricabailey15 September 2017
Am a uk expat in Aus. so i watch anything British in vain hope of decent drama. But They seem to like purchasing tedious dramas instead of decent ones. Haven't read the book. Haven't even finished watching series. Tediously slow, dragging things out like there is no real content. Character of Serena is not likable. Needs a slap by her daughter when in car for sure. Character that was in prison is wet blanket. After 30 mins I jumped on IMDb to see if it was worth wasting my time with. It seems not...certainly at least one review sums up my thoughts on it so far and they advise not bothering. I certainly wouldn't advise anyone bothers given the tedium n dull character acting of episode 1. Life is far too short.
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