Patrick Melrose [DVD]

Mixed feelings here.The first episode so disturbed, it was tempting to leave - an obnoxious central character clearly on self-destruct. Only later did all become clear and sympathy begin to grow.As a boy Patrick was abused by his monstrous father, neglected by a mother more concerned about the needs of children the other side of the world. Surely his only hope of salvation will be when he can break free from the shadow of those two who let him down so badly - concentrate on the future, unshackled by the past.Five hour long episodes trace his attempts to do this.A stunning series. Superb scripts. Actors on top form. A tour de force from Benedict Cumberbatch, his Patrick struggling to rise from the depths and make something of his life. Hugo Weaving chillingly convinces as the despicable father. As ever making impact is Pip Torrens as the aloof bigoted Nicholas, unable to open his mouth without releasing pithy vitriol.Devastatingly portrayed are those on high. In Episode 2 a sober Patrick attends a lavish party - top people, Princess Margaret the special guest. Spared the distortions caused by drink and drugs, he sees them as they are - empty people ( Margaret included - as tellingly depicted by Harriet Walter, so petty and obnoxious). British Society? An obsession with materialism, the outer show. In fact with nothing of real worth to offer.A bleak message indeed.Some describe the series as a very dark comedy. Too often I found it too unsettling to provoke much laughter. The lasting image will always be of that eight year old Patrick craving help but receiving none. Between them, his parents really messed him up.A series brilliantly conceived, but some may find it hard actually to like.

This is simply the best TV drama you will see all year - and probably the TV drama milestone and benchmark for years to come.Edward St Aubyn's five Patrick Melrose source novels have been loved and admired for years, and this is a rarity - a screen adaptation that perfectly captures the humour and the ambience, but also enhances the books.In every department, this is a rarity when every part is outstanding and delivers a remarkable whole.David Nicholls script is a masterclass in how to fillet but also expand the source material. Edward Berger's direction is fleet, spare and as sure as it is complex. The edit is perfection, and costume, set and attention to details sparkling - from the daisy wheel printing on the medicine bottle label to the period child's cowboy hat and sandals.But it is the acting that is the shop window of all the skill on offer, and the standard of acting is quite extraordinary. Hugo Weaving (terrifying, yet oddly touching) and a bright and brittle Jennifer Jason Leigh are Patrick's parents from Hell, and Sebastian Maltz exquiisite and touching as the young Patrick. As the godfather from Hell Pip Torrens is snarky and superior, and Indira Varma, Holliday Grainger and Jessica Raine are three significant women in Patrick's life. Although telling contributions from Harriet Walter (Princess Margaret) and Anna Madeley (Mary) are not to be underrated either.But the glory of it all is Benedict Cumberbatch as Patrick. As the best performance yet from the actor of his generation, this achievement is unparalleled. Worthy of all awards going, all the remarkable critical acclaim, this is a deeply personal and revealing portrayal that also shows there are still more depths of emotional and intellectual intelligence in his range yet to come.To age, as in the books, from early 20's to late 40's is, technically, the hardest range to meet, but he does this beautifully. He takes this deeply abused and damaged car crash of a man from youthful drug binges to addiction, treatment and self destruction through to a hard won maturity and recovery of a sort with total commitment, a terriifying sense of danger and flaw, yet with charm, honour and the sense that there is a lovely person in there, if only....It is a hard journey, but it is the journey of a life in all it's muck and mystery, and Cumberbatch brings to it not just a simplistic fascination of the awful, but the revelation of a deeply damaged soul whose tiny flame of heart and humanity still remains with him throughout his horrors, and just needs love and commitment to grow and overcome his damage.It is - finally - a story of hope and of love.And, as such, is a form of human inspiration as much as technical and dramatic perfection. Just glorious - and breathtaking. ,

Great series! I've enjoyed every moment of it and keep replaying it: the issue of child abuse and it's consequences are shown in greatest detail. I've known for a long time that Benedict Cumberbatch is extremely talented and well educated actor, who takes all his roles very seriously. However, I've never seen anything even close to his performance in these series. Such change of emotions from hate and rage to tenderness... changing every second... He went far beyond brilliance this time!Unfortunately, I did saw some reviews of this series, and although everyone may have own opinion, I have some GENERAL comments:1) "First 30 minutes that I've watched was a complete waste of my time. I stopped watching" - my comment: DON'T rate the ENTIRE series based on FIRST 30 minutes(!) of it. It's COMPLETELY UNFAIR! If you are SO worried about your precious time - watch a trailer before watching a movie. Plenty of them are available.2) "Heroin addiction is shown laughable - like an actor overdosed on sugar candies (absolutely nothing else in this review!) - my comment: if you are watching this movie just to see how heroin addiction was played - this is a wrong movie for you. This movie is not about addiction. Yes, addiction is a big part of it, but it's not the main focus of the movie.