As Time Goes By - Reunion Specials
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Actor: Geoffrey Palmer, Jenny Funnell, Judi Dench, Moira Brooker, Philip BrethertonBrand: PBS
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-01-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: PBS
DVD Reviews of As Time Goes By - Reunion Specials
DVD Review: A Kiss May Still Be A Kiss But...
Summary: 3 Stars
this may be getting out of hand. I, along with the countless other " As Time Goes By " fanatics, had eagerly anticipated this " Reunion Special " but must admit to being slightly disappointed with the finished product and how each character has slowly developed over the years. Granted long-time fans of " ATGB " will no doubt be greatly miffed but I do feel that this special ( filmed in Feb. 2005 ) doesn't quite live up to its expectations. Truth be known I found myself somewhat cheated by its contents and found it left me with a nagging feeling as though a wonderful opportunity had been lost.
I guess a good place to begin would be...well, at the beginning! Don't misunderstand me but the idea of Jean ( played by the wonderful Judi Dench of course ) purchasing and having delivered two baby cribs before either daughter Judith or Sandy have announced that they were even expecting is beyond silly. I cannot think of any sane woman behaving in this fashion and it seems to be unnecessarily calculated. No doubt long-time fans will find it humrous but, sadly, I found it just plain silly. One of this shows greatest strengths as always been that the characters never resorted to cheap sitcom tricks for laughs. Now, theres an obvious tie-in later in the show of course and any long time viewer could probably see what was coming down the pipe long before the happy announcement is pronounced. Granted though to give credit where credit is due Lionels dream sequence was an absolute hoot! Sadly though adding to the problem is poor Lionel ( Geoffrey Palmer ) whose character is written as little more then a befuddled, confused senior who hasn't a clue as to what is going on under his very own roof. Lionel is constantly nagged and berated by wife Jean and seems, not only, completely clueless but perennially whipped by the very women he lives with. I do understand the comedic aspect of writing the sitcom in this way but Lionels character is so completely toothless that he may as well be put out to pasture. Sadly, adding to the ever growing problems is how Bob Lareby has written the role of Jean as one who seems constantly in a foul mood and seems to forever snap at those around her. Mr. Lareby's Jean Pargetter as is the grand matriarch of this family and while, in itself, that is fine lately her role has been reduced to behaving perennially peevish and somewhat ill-tempered. I've no doubt that she loves Lionel and her extended family but why write her such as way that comes across as overly antagonistic.
The rest of the first episode runs along smoothly and the scenes that seem to work the best is of course Lionel and new son-in-law Alistair ( Philip Bretherton ) budding friendship. These two do work extremly well together and their visit to a local fertility specialist for Alistair is well-written. Theres a genuine spark between these two actors and you can actually sense the grand time that the two are having. Sadly though the same cannot be said for Alistair and new wife Judith ( Moira Brooker ). Maybe others can see somthing I do not but there is simply not one spark of energy between these two characters. Their scenes together, while vitally important to the Reunion Special, are lacking any and all initmacy and seem oddly perfuntory. I cannot imagine how any couple could function when they lack such a key ingrediant as chemistry but who am I to say? Alistair comes across as energized and always full of Joie de Vivre but alas Judith ( perhaps taking after her mother Jean ) seems without an ounce of humour and quick to dampen down any sense of true spirit. I enjoy the role of Judith but there is little there that leads me to believe that someone of Alistairs charisma would find even remotely attractive. Sorry but for me I simply do not buy into this rather convenient marriage and that they truly love each other. Happily the episode ends with glad news from Sandy ( a vivacious Jenny Funnell ) and hubby Harry. As for me I've always felt as though the role of Sandy was much more interesting then Judith and would like to have seen more of her.
The second episode starts with a bang but ( with apologies to T.S. Eliot ) ends with a whimper. The startling news of Lionel having a son back in Kenya was priceless and I never saw it coming. Initially I thought it was rather risque of Mr. Lareby to write such a scene that might be considered very controversial by long-time fans of ATGB but sadly it was quickly wrapped up all nice and tidy and never mined for the comedic gold that might have been found if they have workd it just a little longer. Neverhteless, Judi Dench does a classic take upon hearing of Lionels newfound off-spring and for a few minutes there I thought the show had finally found itself again. Of course this is where Jeans long-time sister-in-law Penny and her sad sack husband Stephen come into play and its a welcome change to find the role of Penny add a little life to the proceedings. The character of Penny has always been a bit of a tornado in this show and I always seem to enjoy her blowing in like a hurricane. There is a definite need in this series for a character of adds just a little of a sparing match between them and Jean/Lionel and Penny does this in spades. She may not be one who you would invite into your very own home but in this instance she is very welcome indeed. Adding to the festivities is a small case of harmless fun by Sandy and Judith regarding two shopping bags and its naughty contents and the show finally felt as though it was on sure footing.
Sadly, it ends hapharzedly with a call that Lionels father was in a nearby hospital and finishes off on a sour note. Sorry folks but the never-ending role of Rocky should have been retired years ago and his character, while many will no doubt find humorous, has been reduced to silly, contrived scenes where he and new wife Madge ( she mysteriously was absent from these proceedings! ) act like unruly children. I do understand that many will disagree here but why it is in televison land that seniors are written as though they were rambunctious five year olds who seem forever playful? Its a sitcom trick that apparently even the folks at ATGB are not above. Have them skydiving, linedancing or some other silly nonsense and get a cheap laugh.
Overall, what to think of the Reunion Special? While I did enjoy seeing my favorite televison/extended family once again I do feel as though somehow an opportunity has been lost. Fact remains that the reason for the success of " ATGB " isn't necessarily the scripts, which seem to possess some appeal, but the enormous talent pool that brings them to life each and every episode. The last scene we view is Lionel, sitting in the hospital waiting room, once again befuddled and seemingly lost as to what is going on around him, pretty much says it all. I too was befuddled, confused and slightly ill-at-ease as to what I'd just witnessed but was also found eagerly anticipating much more. But I guess thats what families are all about.
Description of As Time Goes By - Reunion Specials
Studio: Pbs Release Date: 04/16/2009Bestsellers in DVD
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