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The Thursday Murder Club

(148 Posts)
RosieandherMaw Thu 28-Aug-25 17:05:44

I have just finished watching this on Netflix and enjoyed it.
It didn’t make the same impression on me that the book made, Richard Osman seems uniquely able to get inside the heads of his characters, but an enjoyable afternoon’s viewing.
I’m not sure it would have achieved the hype and critical acclaim it will no doubt enjoy, though, if it had not had such a stellar cast!

Grandmotherto8 Fri 29-Aug-25 13:54:52

I'm watching it on Netflix. Enjoying it. But saw The Roses today, the remake of War of the Roses with Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas and much preferred the original. The script was witty & Coleman & Cumberbatch are good, but the finale was brief & nowhere near as exciting.

carterdunn Fri 29-Aug-25 14:01:29

Sadly, I don’t agree. I was very disappointed by the end of the film.
I heard Richard Osman’s reason for casting Pierce Brosnan as Ron. It just doesn’t work.
The book says his son towers over him.
And the Irish brogue coming through his non-existent East End accent was embarrassing.
Daniel Mays is a great actor, and plays his part well. But can you really see him turning to healthy food for the sake of Donna’s mother?
The size of Joyce’s cakes verged on slapstick.
I can forgive Bogdan’s physique, but I can’t forgive him being arrested.
The arrest suggests that there won’t be any follow up films, because the Donna/Bogdan relationship is an integral part of the other books.
Where was the man on the bench? The fake priest?
I read Richard Osman’s comments that you hand over the book and let the professionals do their thing.
His tone suggested that he may not be entirely happy with the result.
Oh well. At least his wife got a part.

BellaT2 Fri 29-Aug-25 14:03:56

Saw this at a ‘Silver Screen’ showing (specially for the over 55s). The volume was deafening, which spoiled the experience a bit for me. Had to stuff tissue in my ears. I enjoyed the book, but think the film was over-hyped, the main actors were hamming it up a bit too much, and their characters very cliched. Bogdan and the young policewoman were the best actors in the film. I also enjoyed the way Joyce’s cakes got bigger as the film progressed 😃. I might watch it again on TV - might enjoy it better without the ear-bleeds.

Katcoffee Fri 29-Aug-25 14:15:46

We struggled through the film. I nearly fell asleep! We gave it 3*.

knspol Fri 29-Aug-25 14:18:04

It is "cosy drama" but what's wrong with that? I really enjoyed the books - again easy reading, pleasant enough and nothing to keep me awake at night and I've already pre ordered the next book due out in Sept I believe.
I thought the film was OK, the cakes did seem to rather overtake the story at times although looked delicious. The acting of course was good except imo Brosnan who I thought wasn't a great fit for the part (apart from the drunken lout cameo).

jomo Fri 29-Aug-25 14:21:29

I have read all the MC books loved them ..film later today will make my own judgement on it !!!!

Barbadosbelle Fri 29-Aug-25 14:22:30

.

Englefield House, Berkshire
.

4allweknow Fri 29-Aug-25 14:22:55

Thought it was like a very amateur theatre production. Disappointed given the strong established actors. I watched it at night. It's definitely a rainy afternoon way to pass the time. Never read the book.

Jockytaff Fri 29-Aug-25 14:49:15

Primrose53 - I couldn't agree more. The book was terrible so I'll give the film a miss. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

mokryna Fri 29-Aug-25 17:27:45

The film was easy going however, I was annoyed with Pierce Brosnan, every time he spoke, he didn’t seem to fit the character in the book.

Shizam Fri 29-Aug-25 17:59:48

I thought it was rather sweet. Locations pretty, storyline daft, but engaging. Great line-up of older British actors - which is rare. Also loved the young actress playing the policewoman.

Grandma600 Fri 29-Aug-25 18:00:38

Very disappointing. The book was hardly a classic, but Richard Osman provided each of his characters a background, a personality and a voice. The film seemed nothing more than a fluffy, jolly jape where none of the actors took it seriously or could be bothered to stretch themselves or give authenticity to their character.
To think I took out a Netflix subscription specifically to be able to watch this nonsense 😒 (I did the same with Paramount Plus for the new Frasier...I'll never learn...)

DotScot Fri 29-Aug-25 18:37:05

I saw the film in the Everyman cinema in Edinburgh yesterday. I enjoyed it, though not as much as the book. I was constantly annoyed by no-one agreeing on whether Ian Ventham's name should be pronounced with a 'th' or a 't'. Even Helen Mirren couldn't make up her mind from one scene to another.
I liked the portrayal of Stephen's character.
I concluded that the film was in the tradition of those British offerings from a bygone era, enjoyable, but not particularly deep.

Allira Fri 29-Aug-25 18:42:07

Whitewavemark2

I read the books and they were no more than pleasant cosy reading, the sort of book to read when you don’t want too much mind bending.

The film was disappointing.

I agree re the books.

I enjoyed them and sometimes, if life is challenging, you don't want to read challenging books as well!

We don't have Netflix so haven't seen the film.
I think the retirement complex is based on the one where Richard Osman's mother lives.

Where was it filmed?

Allira Fri 29-Aug-25 18:43:57

Englefield House, apparently.
Near Englefield Green presumably.

Allira Fri 29-Aug-25 18:48:34

I'm fed up with dark, miserable dramas on TV, with nasty characters, unpleasant storylines or series where historical facts are changed.
Bring back some more light-hearted, enjoyable dramas I say!

Deedaa Fri 29-Aug-25 18:56:12

Allira I get my car MOT'd and serviced in Englefield Green. I'll have to have a look around.

Deedaa Fri 29-Aug-25 19:00:30

^eddiecat78* No problem with Bogdan hunkwise, I thought he was lovely. But they have made a change that will complicate him coming back in another film.

NotAGran55 Fri 29-Aug-25 19:06:15

Allira

Englefield House, apparently.
Near Englefield Green presumably.

Englefield House is the private home of Richard Benyon and is near Reading, not Englefield Green.
My 2 sons went to primary school on the estate.

Allira Fri 29-Aug-25 19:09:56

Thanks NotaGran55

Grandma2002 Fri 29-Aug-25 19:21:50

Preferred the book although I enjoyed the TV version.

Gfplux Fri 29-Aug-25 19:26:27

Having watched half (I thought it was a series 😂😂😂) I will watch the second hour but it is very soft and slow…. Up to now.

mumski Fri 29-Aug-25 19:47:44

Our book club loved all the TMC books.
We got together last night to watch the film and unanimously really enjoyed it.
I was very moved by the portrayal of Stephen's battle with Dementia and Elizabeth love for him.

Juniper1 Fri 29-Aug-25 19:59:20

Agree. Novel badly written.
Movie tolerable because of the great actors.
But basically an overblown event, and I do actually like Richard osmand

Oreo Fri 29-Aug-25 20:03:24

DotScot

I saw the film in the Everyman cinema in Edinburgh yesterday. I enjoyed it, though not as much as the book. I was constantly annoyed by no-one agreeing on whether Ian Ventham's name should be pronounced with a 'th' or a 't'. Even Helen Mirren couldn't make up her mind from one scene to another.
I liked the portrayal of Stephen's character.
I concluded that the film was in the tradition of those British offerings from a bygone era, enjoyable, but not particularly deep.

That’s a good summing up😃 not as good as the book and slightly different plot but overall enjoyable.