Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Derrick Gibbons An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

kenfran This was a wonderful series, and I found many of the issues that the characters had to deal with actually reflecting the issues facing a number colleagues and friends. While the situations were not of course fictional the emotions and ways to manage issues are no different to the way we have to manage in real lifeI loved the wide range of interactions that so realistically reflected real life in its many layered complexity. The writers had managed to portray how we try to live and survive in our hectic world.I did feel however that as the series came to the last part it seemed to me as though the actors were starting to get out of character and a different director was at the wheel, or a new writer was involved . This meant for me a great series sort of tapered off in quality at the end of the series runCome on series 2.

jlarson-640-540909 It is fair to say that the quality of the cast gives the show a big lift. The cast are well chosen for their roles and, mostly, familiar faces. It is also fair to say that the script does let the show down, however, not very often fortunately. The overall story is believable while being meaty enough to stir up the emotions from time to time. I have found no difficulty in following the many interwoven stories of the characters lives. The realism of relationships between friends and families can be sometimes annoying and sometimes warm and fuzzy, and there are bits for most people to relate to. I have heard many friends and colleagues talk of the show and discuss the characters or plot lines that seem to get them going, so I always have someone to share my favorite bits with, or bag the characters that are annoying me. The show has that multi faceted look at life feel, similar to 'Love My Way'(which Claudia Karvan was also in). It is different in that it's not as edgy or "sexy", perhaps a little more appealing to a wider audience. Go Aussie drama !!

Bob Highland If you look at the premise of this series - one more examination of the daily lives of a bunch of suburban characters, most of them somehow related, chronicling their triumphs and disappointments - one could be forgiven for thinking that it's just another soap. After all, the line between upmarket soap opera and quality drama can be confusingly thin at times.For mine, this definitely falls into the latter category. It's true that the story lines fall into the usual run of spousal tensions, generational issues, affairs, blended families and how the kids are affected, with associated logistical problems. But then, that's life, innit? You don't need to be in a train-wreck to have at least one phase of your life that resembles one.The trick in making such well-worn stories worth watching anew is in providing moments of genuine drama, with authentic emotional reactions and dialogue that rings true for each character, with sufficient nuance to let us feel that we are they, and we know exactly what they're going through. Yes, perhaps some of the situations here are a bit familiar and obvious, but at least they don't all say the bleedin' obvious.In the end, the main differentiator between the two genres is a well-wrought script coupled with an ensemble cast that's capable of doing justice to it. Not to mention having the restraint to avoid a closing shot of a character staring into the middle distance with the expression of a stunned mullet. And resisting the temptation to include an explosion or inferno to ramp up the stakes a bit.On that basis, this is a fine effort. Good, thoughtful scripts, and excellent performances all round.

Rollum This confused direction-less Australian drama jumps from a one Neighbors like cliché to another. Aside from the character of Caroline (Claudia Karvan) there is no real acting going on here. Just a series of painfully labored dialogues expressed in the most trivial and boring scenarios.There is Caroline, a deserted mother whose husband, Matt (William McInnes) has left her for another woman. Now they begin a fight for custody of there son Carmody who Caroline thought was a genius but turns out hes below average. The Matt character is a dim witted and socially inept yet high flying exec with more money than sense and no real grasp on reality. William McInnes plays the role like a mahogany side board and the occasional violent outburst in the script make this character plain creepy.Then there is Herb, (Stephen Curry)and Luce (Shane Jacobson) One is supposed to be funny and the other is supposed to be a gifted singer musician. Neither are either!!! Jacobson is badly cast and nauseating as the portly would be rock star who is supposed to be able to play anything on his cut price acoustic guitar. These two hip guys own a comedy club where the laughs are all staged and Herb is just not funny even though all the extras are laughing at his scripted gags. Oh and Herbs Mum throws up because she has a drinking problem. Riveting stuff!There is also an abandoned bride who almost takes back the coward who left her at the alter when he comes crawling back - but to our relief she doesn't ..... WHO CARES!!! The ideas are old and there is no continuity in the story. The characters are shallow and clichéd and the drama is second hand. I managed four episodes of this soapy mess. The Days of Our Lives or The Time of Our Lives, either way , it was over for me when the fat man sang. and Yes........ he sings....Often.