Thursday 14 September 2023

The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies (2023 Writers Ginny & Penelope Skinner)

Well, a bold title, at any rate. Is this a black comedy, or a load of old tosh? Or is it 'Little Pink Riding Hood'? Or is it (somewhat clumsily and somewhat queasily) about abusive relationships? A not very successful mixture of all four, with the story of a manipulative controlling con man who makes women think they're crazy and relieves them of their money. A former victim, Rebekah Staton, recognises the man, Alistair Petrie (Sex Ed) many years later, and sees he's about to perform the same trick on vulnerable writer Marianne-Jean Baptiste. Thereafter, several totally unbelievable things happen, shot handsomely in widescreen by Ollie Downey / Nick Martin with Candida Otton providing production design. Edgy music by Arthur Sharpe (Landscapers, Flowers).

It was made in five parts for the BBC. Enlivened (or tricked out, as you prefer) by flashbacks to other victims and dotted (for no good reason) with a mix of eighties hits and opera.

With Romola Garai (manic boutique owner), Derek Jacobi, Karl Johnson.





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