I watched it, though I'm still uncertain as to why.
Perhaps it was a yearning for my youth when an Australian period mini series was a real television event.
Whatever the reason , the outcome was a wasted four hours.
One dimensional characterisations, variable acting, and often strange editing resulted in a final product that was disappointing in the extreme. As the final credits rolled I actually laughed out loud which is odd as I was alone in the room.
The story was bleak and grim. I'm told that the book is too, so I guess it's hard to criticise it for being relatively faithful. So I'm left with wondering at the subject choice.
On face value I applaud Network Ten for making Australian mini series. But their choices leave me cold.
Last year's After the Deluge was well acted and directed but again provided little more than a bleak commentary on contemporary relationships. Jessica, a period piece, was just plain bleak with the heroine experiencing an unfortunate and lonely death at the end of night two.
Ten made much of its recruitment of Sue Masters from the ABC. But the results IMHO have been pretty ordinary. Ultimately as a commercial network its Australian content is going to live and die according to their ratings.
It's my view the vast majority of people watch a mini series (or any movie or series for that matter) for escapism. For the most part people will sit through a tale of woe provided the ending is uplifting. But what is Ten serving up? Grim, gritty pieces that reinforce the notion that life is a bleak experience.
After the Deluge was critically acclaimed, but a ratings disappointment. I suspect Jessica will not even achieve the former.
Perhaps it was a yearning for my youth when an Australian period mini series was a real television event.
Whatever the reason , the outcome was a wasted four hours.
One dimensional characterisations, variable acting, and often strange editing resulted in a final product that was disappointing in the extreme. As the final credits rolled I actually laughed out loud which is odd as I was alone in the room.
The story was bleak and grim. I'm told that the book is too, so I guess it's hard to criticise it for being relatively faithful. So I'm left with wondering at the subject choice.
On face value I applaud Network Ten for making Australian mini series. But their choices leave me cold.
Last year's After the Deluge was well acted and directed but again provided little more than a bleak commentary on contemporary relationships. Jessica, a period piece, was just plain bleak with the heroine experiencing an unfortunate and lonely death at the end of night two.
Ten made much of its recruitment of Sue Masters from the ABC. But the results IMHO have been pretty ordinary. Ultimately as a commercial network its Australian content is going to live and die according to their ratings.
It's my view the vast majority of people watch a mini series (or any movie or series for that matter) for escapism. For the most part people will sit through a tale of woe provided the ending is uplifting. But what is Ten serving up? Grim, gritty pieces that reinforce the notion that life is a bleak experience.
After the Deluge was critically acclaimed, but a ratings disappointment. I suspect Jessica will not even achieve the former.
...for a mini series which they made it sound, that was definetely not the ending I expected.
I really wanna see the rest of it.