Truly Dreadful Film

This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Fantastic!

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Whether or not you live or have ever lived in a small town, this series has something to offer. It has a unique mix of real emotion, wacky slapstick, satirical bite and great characters. While that may sound paradoxical, it works. The characters are the great forte of the show; the viewer can relate to their very human fallacies, and even if they don't recognize themselves, they might recognize, say, a mother-in-law... One reason some may be rubbed to wrong way by it might be unresolved and immature attitudes towards grief, but that's their problem, really, and no one else's. The series revolves around women, but even being a man I had no problem relating, after all doesn't everything? In many ways it is better than Abfab, even though a comparison based on having some of the same people involved is obviously inane. They - are - different - shows! Unlike Abfab, it is refreshingly nonviolent, and succeeds in being truly warm, truly therapeutic and truly funny. And if you don't believe me, watch it and see for yourself. It is sad that the third season will be the last, alas I haven't seen it yet, but I hope it at least got to end in the natural, settled way it deserves.

I just discovered the series. I became so absorbed that I ended up watching the whole 1st season in a weekend. In some ways, everyone is familiar with this community but, we rarely stop to see the humor that surround our daily life. This show reminded me to appreciate the odd moments that happen daily. I began watching because of how much I admire Sue Johnston's work and was again impressed. I was surprised, however, to see how much depth the rest of the cast showed. The scripts shifts quickly from humor to grief then on to love or annoyance and on an on. Usually one feels jostled with such transitions but the script and the expert acting by the cast keeps the plot flowing. I became absorbed in the story and only at the end did I realize how much was covered.That can only be accomplished when a whole cast is up to the task. I can't wait for the next season!

I too thought that with all of these actors, it would be hysterical! I am a huge fan of AbFab but this is quite different. It is a lovely take on a small town and the church guild. As a member of my own church guild, I know where these women come from! It gets better after this first show and I have become quite fond of the women, they grow on you! Some of the characters are a bit over the top but Sal and Tip are the kind of friends that you really want in your life. Sal's daughter in law (who can't seem to say smear) is the worst practice nurse as just about everything grosses her out! Dawn French's character is cute, she's not an idiot - she is just a bit eccentric and all the women care for her. It is a character driven show, the plots are just lines to learn about the Women!

You have to give this time and (as almost everyone else here has noted) be prepared that it's nothing at all like AbFab.I'm a big F&S fan, but even I was disappointed by the first episode of J&J. Nonetheless I kept watching, and I wound up being entranced. Jen Saunders is a wonderful writer, the characters really grow on you and the more you see the more you'll want to see. It may be especially difficult for American viewers to comprehend English country life, but the series is totally charming and is very very funny in a quiet kind of way. The cast is excellent, especially Dawn French and Sue Johnston. It's very well worth the investment -- enjoy!!