Reviews

The trailer intrigued me, the reviews convinced me.

And now I've watched it, I don't understand the high rating and the number of 9 and 10 star reviews.

Whilst it wasn't awful, it was just slow, pretentious, bleak and depressing. Some incredible films have been bleak and depressing, but it didn't feel like this hit the mark or that it was even the intended feeling.

The acting was brilliant, but the storyline was simply a good idea which was never built on and could have made a good short-film.

I'm a big softie with films, but I've been moved way more by some basic, paint by numbers Rom-Coms.

No spoilers here, although it would be very easy to sum up the entire storyline and one thread in a few words.

Having read the books, I was excited to see this had been dramatised.

I was however shocked to reach the equivalent end of the first book by the beginning of episode 3. Everything just felt very rushed, with lots of important events and scenes missed. There was barely any building of characters or their back stories, with some characters completely missing who were important to the story in the books.

I'm not sure whether reading the books made it less enjoyable being aware of these ommisions, but it certainly felt underwhelming and decidedly rushed throughout.

I understand literary and poetic licence, but whilst it wasn't a bad production and the casting and acting was good, this didn't hit the spot if you've enjoyed the books.

I couldn't tell if it was trying to be profound, subtly comedic, thought-provoking or all of the above. It kind of failed at all of them.

I don't think it deserves the praise it has received - it was okay, it had some mildly amusing moments but it had one storyline which doesn't really go anywhere and I soon lost interest. In Bruges was superb and I watched again in advance of going to see this. Maybe I shouldn't have, as this just doesn't get anywhere near it for comedy, warmth or character development.

The acting is brilliant, the scenery is spectacular, but I just didn't get it. It was... okay.

You know those trailers you see for a true life series on BBC, where you just know its going to be good.

This was one of those and I wasn't wrong. A fascinating and educating telling of the horrific trust story. Stephen Merchant was fantastic and very intersting to see in a serious role. Superb!

I loved the trailer and the storyline excited me. However, I found the film itself lost its way.

It was well intentioned and the important message was clear, but it felt like more of a comedy sketch show or skit, just a long one.

Rylance is absolutely excellent though. Amazingly creepy!

I think the reviews saying it's aimed at a US audience are missing the point, along with the ironic comedy.

The over the top, americanised, hard to believe situations are all part of the humour. This is a comedy before its a drama and its genuinely fantastic. Take it for what it is and enjoy the charm of Ted and the team!

The worst thing about Shetland is how many first episodes I've watched of other British detective series trying to find something as good.

Gripped from the start and loved every minute. Yes it has its flaws, and some stories/series are stringer than others, but the characters and the setting along with the storylines make this a superb series. There are twists, but not pointless and hard to follow ones huts a good story which keeps you guessing.

I nearly avoided watching this as all the comments made it appear like it was some sort of propaganda, or some anti-establishment docufilm with subliminal messages. It's not, it's just a film based on a true story. A true story already in the public domain. This is not a political movie, its just a great move based on a true story. Mark Ruffalo is absolutely superb - the acting throughout for all main and supporting characters really makes this film. There are no laughs, no twists, no shocks and no huge courtroom drama scenes, but it doesn't seem to matter. The movie tells a story and is acted out so well that it simply a thoroughly entertaining piece. Watch it, enjoy it, but don't try and make it something its not.

Fantastic plot and ideas, really gripped me for season 1. Then season 2 seemed to drag, in the annoying way when you know as the audience what's happened and what is going to happen and you wish it would hurry up. Then season 3 was pointless - the storyline didn't progress at all in the last few episodes, just unnecessary detail was filled. It wasn't bad and it was entertaining, but it could have been reduced to 6 episodes in total. And I can't work out if Anderson's acting was brilliant or woeful. Hard to say.

Writing this in 2020, so the sub plots/themes carry more weight today than perhaps when it was made. The racial struggles play a big part in the movie, but it's not at all preaching. And that aside, it's a damn good sports movie. Maybe formulaic and predictable, but it's a true story at the end of the day. Feel good film that should have a higher rating.

Negative reviewers, were you expecting some Usual Suspects type twist from a British film with that cast?

Yes it had unbelievable twists, yes there were too many, and yes it was over explained. But it was an enjoyable film. Easy watching Friday night on the sofa type stuff. Don't expect to be blown away by a sub plot and a masterful twist and you'll enjoy a very watchable and reasonable film.

I rarely review, but felt compelled to in order to save others from this waste of time. A friend recommended this film to me - halfway through I called him to confirm it was a wind-up! Firstly, there's no way of including spoilers. To do so you'd need to comprehend a single part of the story, which is impossible. Within the first 10 minutes you feel like it's started halfway through and you've missed an hour of explanations, scene setting and character profiling. Every new scene feels as if 5 scenes were missed which may actually give any idea of who is who and what is happening. I've genuinely never watched anything so bad. It's impossible to explain what this film was about - it's like they filmed 4 different films and threw a load of random scenes together. Horrific!