Customer Reviews

Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Season One

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've seen a few courtesan friendly movies, and this one is a wonderful series. Billie Piper does a wonderful narrative and lead heroine act, where she embraces the common taboos that society creates for itself, yet finds her own balance of the accumulation of pleasure, wealth, humanity, and even guilt. A great show, well written, well scripted, and yes, for those that appreciate the beauty of the female in general, you won't go wrong because this pretty much shows all her beauty, clothes and sans clothes, as well as her thoughts and hopes. I'm looking forward to seeing how this story unfolds with every episode. There is certainly more to this show than simple nudity, there is a humanity to it that is just as enjoyable.

This is a great show, and Billie Piper does an amazing job as Belle. I was very excited that this show was finally going to be released in US/Canada only to find that the majority of the music has been changed during the show, to a bunch of music that doesn't remotely fit the show. Also the dvd quality itself is absolutely terrible. The show is out of focus and the lighting is horribly bright. None of these flaws were on the British version and I am thinking Lionsgate somehow majorly cheaped this down. I am very disappointed.

The smart films and tv shows about sex workers realize and narratively utilize that there is a vast difference between a high class escort and say, someone you would pick up in the seedy part of town. It's like comparing a wealthy corporate lawyer to a struggling independent--similar enough, yet drastically different lifestyle/daily life. This show acknowledges that aspect from the start--quite literally in a voice over--and is about a high class escort who goes by "Belle." (It's based, though I'm not sure how closely, on the memoirs/blog of an actual London escort.)

Like most media about "courtesans" it tends to over-glamourize its material and is to an extent the traditional "happy hooker story," but it counter-balances that and partially justifies itself by developing an interesting, fairly well-developed protagonist--one who enjoys the money and the sex, but finds some inner conflict in leading a double life, dealing with various issues, etc. The most interesting parts of the show to me were the exploration of this duality/lifestyle, though for those of you also interested in its sexual content--there is plenty of that as well. I find the show quite addicting and very fast paced. i also am not usually a fan of british humor (i just usually don't "get it") but i find the show funny and the drama is balanced well (strong enough to be interesting, but not overwhelming in balance with the show's comedy--it's "drama-lite.")

I did want to say one last thing, about the DVD picture quality which someone said was a very poor treatment/transfer. I can only speak from my own experience, but in my case I found almost NO difference between the DVD played upscaled on my blu-ray player (PS3), and watching the show in HD on Showtime (using the same television for both viewings.) The picture quality in my experience, was quite fine, though not everyone has HD or upscaling and people's picture calibrations may differ.

Belle (named after Catherine Deneuve's character in Belle de Jour) is a high class London escort who enjoys her job and is good at it. She makes it clear she's never been sexually abused and is not a drug addict. She just likes the two things that make being an escort appealing-sex and money. She has emotional problems with keeping her work and personal life separate. While Belle doesn't mind having emotionally unattached sex with strangers, she does mind being emotionally detached from her friends and family. Season One delves into Belle's sexual adventures and slowly reveals her career to her best friend.

The Secret Diary of a Call Girl is all that you might expect. There is a bit of Pretty Woman (15th Anniversary Special Edition) fantasy in here with Belle meeting and mating with lots of rich eligible bachelors, Belle shopping for fabulous clothes and sex toys, and Belle looking great in expensive corsets. There is also a lot of behind the scenes information about what it takes to be a call girl-like constant exercise and waxing and the occasional creep. It's a fun fantasy story told against the back drop of glamorous London. Billie Piper is nice to watch and a definite asset to the series.

If you like this show, you'll probably find the BBC series Coupling - The Complete Seasons 1-4 equally entertaining.

You would have to have a dryer sense of Humor and an affinaty for things taboo and improper brought to light. I Love shows like Dead Like Me and the L word if that helps you figure out weather or not it would be one for you.

There is an old saying that you can't buy love, but you can rent it. IF you have enough $$, you can rent it from a High Society call girl like Belle. Some clients just rent her time once, while other clients use her services as routinely as they would a cashier @ a Supermarket.

What is interesting about this DVD is that the episodes are based on real-life adventures of a British call girl. The DVD explores different facets of what a call girl must be fluent in, such as the Girlfriend Experience (known as GFE in Escort circles), group sex, threesomes, S & M and dominatrix stuff. There's more to being a courtesan than many may realize!

Billie Piper is perfect as the lead role. She is exquisite, sophisticated enough to pass for a high society harlot and sultry enough to take things to the bedroom. The one complaint I have is that I was expecting more nudity. While there is occasionally nudity here & there, the series is not saturated with it (as I thought it would be).

For those who are fascinated by the prostitution underworld, this series is a must-have (at least the 1st season, anyway). Those who are intrigued by Belle's story may also be interested in purchasing The Ranch (Unrated Uncut Edition) and Why Just Her for other perspectives on the lives & times of call girls.

Season 2 is good but Season 1 is great. A fun show to own and watch again and/or share with friends.

I absolutely love this show! Originally the first time I intended to watch the first season, I accidentally rented the second instead. But honestly it didn't leave me feeling confused, whatsoever. Any information the viewer needed to know, was figured out pretty promptly without viewing the first season.
When I found the first season for so cheap on Amazon, and with Super Saver Shipping, I couldn't resist!
Definitely was not disappointed. It's like Sex and the City, without all the obnoxious and cliche female stereotypes. No drama of, "whens my bf going to call me! Oh no!".

The only complaint I could have about this show is that sometimes the "cut scenes" they have of her just sitting around thinking or doing something, can tend to drag on.

But I love this show, and for the price it was definitely worth it!
A show all about a woman, that my male partner doesn't mind watching with me!

I did somewhat enjoy this series. A nice peek into the life of a sex worker. I like how there is equal focus on both the drawbacks and the positives of being a call girl. Billie Piper is a gem. I disliked the actor that played the best friend; what a bore!

I also hated the lighting in most of the episodes. Is it supposed to look like a soft porn set? Perhaps so, but the lighting could be improved on to give a more modern and hip feel.

All in all, not bad, will move on to the next season solely on Billie Piper's performance. Thank god it is roughly 20 minutes per episode.

The show was good, but the book is so much better.
The plot of the book is very similar too the TV show.
I really advise you to buy it, it's a good investment