Customer Reviews

Criminal Justice

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This is a good deal grittier than the kind of British murder mystery that generally shows up on American public television. The author, Peter Moffat, a former barrister, wanted to give viewers a comprehensive look at the British criminal justice system and so covers police investigation, jail, magistrates court, prison, trial and the aftermath.

The writing is generally good, although there are some plausibility issues at times. A young man is accused of murdering a young woman he meets by chance, which he denies, with all of the evidence pointing to his guilt. The story of his arrest, remand in prison and trial are well done. The Bar Council in England was harshly critical of the portrayal of the legal profession and I would tend to agree with them. It's hard to believe that lawyers typically advise their clients to invent stuff to suit the defense that the lawyer wants to put on.

The story can be tough viewing at times. At various points, you wonder just how much physical and psychological trauma the scrawny 21 year old asthmatic protagonist can take. And the ending seemed a little rushed.

The acting is what makes this series really worth it. Pete Postelthwaite, Bill Paterson, Lindsay Duncan, and Nicholas Farrell are especially good. But Ben Whishaw, who plays Ben Coulter, the accused, is superlative. He won an international Emmy for this performance and recently made an acclaimed American Stage debut in the Off-Broadway production of "The Pride." His ability to show all of the strong and conflicting emotions his character has to deal with is effortless.

ONE OF THE BEST BBC DRAMAS IN SOME TIME. THIS BAFTA AWARD SERIES DESERVES ALL THE HONORS AND PRAISES IT'S RECEIVED. GREAT ACTING ALONG WITH SUPERB WRITING MAKES THIS THIS A WINNER