Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

dedeurs Sheridan Smith is British, she's sassy, she's - when required - very 1960s mod. Most noticeable 'flaw': she doesn't have the famous Cilla Black crooked front teeth... Sheridan can also sing, taking in account that it's not her profession. Still her vocals are the big problem in this TV biop. For me, and everyone else who is very familiar with Cilla Black's records, Smith's vocals are almost painful. The real Cilla had a clear and truly phenomenal voice. Soft and tender one moment, the next belting out like a fog horn. Her enemies called her a 'nasal screech', but it's for sure a voice no one can imitate easily. The 'Alfie' recording session with Burt Bacharach almost admits it. It's true that Burt Bacharach was a perfectionist and probably demanded from all the singers he worked with to do take after take after take, but in this scene he seems to think "Cilla Who again? Give me Dionne and Dusty any time." Well, Cilla Black was more than up to her 1960's contemporaries. Listen to the authentic Alfie recording session as can be found on YouTube. It may have been her 3rd or 30th take, but she leaves you breathless. What a voice, what an emotion. (A question for the director or costumer, though. In the Alfie studio session scene, Sheridan sports Cilla Black's new hair style for 1966. Why not the quite iconic Mary Quant dress as well?) It must be very difficult to find actors who look like famous people as they were in their younger days. I found Brian Epstein too handsome and well-mannered. George Martin and Ringo Star fared better, and the actor who played Cilla's boyfriend aka roadmanager and future husband Bobby Willis is the spitting image of the real one. But when I fail to recognize Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Pete Best at all, it's both confusing and distracting.What leading lady Sheridan Smith lacks in vocal similarities, she more than makes up in looks and charisma. She is Cilla Black as I remember her from the 1964-1965 TV appearances. In fact, it's Sheridan who gloriously saves the 3-episode series 'Cilla' from being a major drag. And had the vocals been play-backed, I would have awarded this with a 10.

winters_day I was so looking forward to seeing this mini series. I remember seeing Cilla on TV as a child. I watched all three episodes in one sitting. I had to keep watching until the end. Sheridan is excellent as Cilla and she really did remind me of her. Aneurin was fantastic as Bobbie and I particularly loved the scenes between Cilla's dad and Bobby. It was a bit disconcerting to see Aneuin with blonde hair but he did kind of look like Bobby (judging from the photo in the credits. It made me laugh and there were some really intense scenes particularly the last one with Cilla and Brian. At times I felt really sorry for Bobby and a bit angry as Cilla for treating him the way she did sometimes. I would definitely recommend this mini series to any one even if they don't know Cilla. Its just a really good story and the actors were all superb in my view.

James Donnelly Sheridan Smith is turning into the female version of Michael Sheen. Whenever there is a biopic, she's the go-to woman! Primarily known for her comedy, Smith has excelled in recent years with her gripping dramas like Mrs Biggs, and now Cilla. Her singing career has only ever been seen in the theatres, but now, even with the mimicry, Smith has proved that she can sing, and sing damn well.As well as focusing on Cilla's career, you also get to see what Brian Epstein was like too. To The Beatles fans, Epstein is well known. or at least his name is known, I learnt several things thanks to this drama! Many of the key moments are well researched. For example, in the third episode where Cilla sings 'Alfie' for Burt Bacharach, I had just seen the same real life clip on YouTube. Some might dispute how much of The Beatles' involvement in Cilla's early career is accurate, but it was completely believable! All in all, great mini-series, and to answer another reviewer's hope for more episodes, sadly there won't be as the real life picture and pre-credit notes filled in those gaps.

terry-newman199 I was at school in the 1950's and 1960's and yes I also noticed a number of inaccuracies, but this was not the point of the programme. There are plenty of historical books and websites out there if that is what you want. The programme is all about capturing the hopes and dreams of young musicians during a very exciting period in popular music, and this it does perfectly. Any references to the Beatles are in the context of the story itself and are not intended to be an detailed account of their movements. If any of the inaccuracies had detracted from the storyline then I am sure that Cilla herself would have objected to it. So just sit back and enjoy the programme and avoid any unnecessary nitpicking.