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A Suitable Boy

(107 Posts)
Teetime Mon 27-Jul-20 10:39:36

Did anyone enjoy this- I really did - didn't nod off at all?

BlueBelle Mon 27-Jul-20 10:42:33

Afraid I was bored and did nod off I will watch on my iPad this afternoon in case I m being unkind here and jumping the gun but what I saw I didn’t enjoy much and I was looking forward to it

GagaJo Mon 27-Jul-20 10:42:55

I'm saving it. Love the novel so hope its not a let down.

TerriBull Mon 27-Jul-20 10:52:11

{hmm] not sure what I think of it yet, I will give it time to develop. I did read a couple of chapters of the book a long time ago, put it down and didn't pick it up again for some reason and don't have any memory of the bits I did read. Clearly from last night a tale of star crossed lovers is to unfold as is a whole lot of trouble as to the building of the temple adjacent to the mosque. I didn't realise that there was a Muslim presence in India after the partition, they were brave to stay on there after the terrible violence of what took place a few years before the book was set.

Love the sitar, thought that was a fantastic piece of music towards the end, George Harrison had the right idea when he embraced that instrument, very haunting and evocative of India.

ginny Mon 27-Jul-20 11:11:35

Quite enjoyed this first episode. Will carry on watching.

EllanVannin Mon 27-Jul-20 12:39:21

I enjoyed it, but then I enjoy Indian cinema ( Bollywood ) and can see that there's going to be conflict of religions etc here between two people who love each other. What beautiful people, with their looks.

merlotgran Mon 27-Jul-20 12:50:23

I'll stick with it but Indian love stories of that period all have the same format: Hindu girl falls for muslim boy (or vice versa) and I then spend the rest of the drama trying to remember who's who.

GillT57 Mon 27-Jul-20 12:50:37

Beautifully filmed, lots of colour and atmosphere. I did get some of the characters confused at first, but think I have worked it out now! Enjoying it so far.

gulligranny Mon 27-Jul-20 13:09:57

I really didn't want to like it, what with all the hype. But both DH and I found it refreshingly different, vibrant and colourful and we will stick with it. The lead actress is lovely, such a sparkling face; the older courtesan lady is incredibly beautiful.

Didn't get on with the book at all, far too long and boring.

mrswoo Mon 27-Jul-20 14:00:11

I watched it and really enjoyed it as did DH. Agreed, it was a bit difficult at times to remember who was who but it became clearer as the episode progressed. We thought it was beautifully acted and the filming was nothing short of superb..

What has shocked me that in today's Mail Online a review of last night's programme has been met with negative and racist comments. Unbelievable.

Luckygirl Mon 27-Jul-20 14:08:17

I started the book many moons ago and abandoned it as I lost the plot!

I was bobbing in and out when watching last night and got confused about 2 of the characters: was the boy she fancied the same person who was getting it together with the singer/courtesan?

I loved the music.
I shall have to concentrate better next time - and I will watch it again as the sets and costumes are so very beautiful.

eazybee Mon 27-Jul-20 14:09:03

I enjoyed it because I did not fall asleep, and I identified some of the main characters. Wonder if it will be a Jewel in the Crown or The Far Pavilions ? Perhaps even A Suitable Boy.

One review said it was a pity the mother, Ma, wasn't more like Mrs, Bennett; for that mercy , much thanks. Couldn't stand a reprise of Alison Steadman, her worst performance ever.

quizqueen Mon 27-Jul-20 14:16:36

I really enjoyed it too and I hope the story is going to tell it like it really was. However, did unmarried Indian girls really have that sort of freedom in the 1950s though to go off chatting to strange boys; I'm struggling with that concept being correct.

Jane10 Mon 27-Jul-20 14:20:42

I found it a refreshing change from the usual period dramas. I did get a bit confused as to who was who but think I worked it out in the end. I'll be sticking with this drama. Quality production.

ninathenana Mon 27-Jul-20 14:37:09

I was quiet looking forward to this but I turned over half way through.

Calendargirl Mon 27-Jul-20 14:41:37

eazybee

Totally agree re Alison Steadman and Mrs Bennett. Talk about over acting and just too ridiculous for words, her performance I mean.

If Mrs B. had been half as bad as she played her, none of the Bennett daughters would have landed a husband, the suitors would have ran for the hills.

Whitewavemark2 Mon 27-Jul-20 14:44:35

I much preferred the book. I will give it another go next week.

flopen Mon 27-Jul-20 14:45:32

I agree with eazybee about Alison Steadman's portrayal of Mrs Bennett. Beyond awful. Mind you, whathisname playing her husband wasn't very good either.

Jane43 Mon 27-Jul-20 16:40:52

merlotgran

I'll stick with it but Indian love stories of that period all have the same format: Hindu girl falls for muslim boy (or vice versa) and I then spend the rest of the drama trying to remember who's who.

I so agree with this comment Merlotgran. In recent years when watching dramas I get frustrated trying to remember who’s who and how they relate to each other. I have been known to make diagrams to help me.

I did enjoy it though, the colours were amazing and so was the music.

Liz46 Mon 27-Jul-20 16:45:20

I enjoyed it but then I love India. We are very sad to have cancelled our holiday there later in the year.

GagaJo Mon 27-Jul-20 17:20:36

As well as reading the book, I listened to a radio adaptation of it on R4 a few years ago. That was also very good.

BlueBelle Mon 27-Jul-20 17:26:14

I will take back all I said in my first post as I ve just watched it on iplayer and realise I must have slept through three quarters of it without realising I had.... no wonder I was muddled as to who was who Well now I loved it and look foreword to next weeks episode
I wish I could remove my first post but never mind

grannyticktock Mon 27-Jul-20 22:57:14

BlueBelle, your post made me chuckle, thank you! Happens to us all. It reminds me of watching that Norwegian drama, A State of Happiness, and wondering why all the dialogue had now switched to English, only to realise that I had slept through half the episode and was now watching a different film entirely. Thank goodness for iPlayer! (Do you ever wish that real life had an iPlayer for the bits you miss?)

Callistemon Mon 27-Jul-20 23:40:07

BlueBelle

I will take back all I said in my first post as I ve just watched it on iplayer and realise I must have slept through three quarters of it without realising I had.... no wonder I was muddled as to who was who Well now I loved it and look foreword to next weeks episode
I wish I could remove my first post but never mind

I did the same.

I woke up and started asking DH questions because I was very confused but I think I'll have to watch it on iPlayer too.

GagaJo Thu 30-Jul-20 22:48:00

Just watched first episode. I really like it. Not entirely sure where/when Lata fell in love tho. The subtlety of Seth's writing has failed to translate in that section, at least