This is a really cosy and comforting movie, even for a non-wine person like me. Despite the competitive element, the emphasis is very much about taking life a bit slower and not being too pressured. At times, the awards plot isn't realistic, but I love that it encourages us to hang on in there whilst not getting too obsessed with work. Also the "French" accents are not entirely European - too many North American pronunciations etc slipping in. Despite my niggles, this is rewatchable long-term as the characters' ages are quite vague, so I don't feel I'd grow out of it. The movie is also very calming before sleep.
Reviews
402 Reviews
Paris, Wine & Romance
(2019 TV Movie)
Lovely cast/characters but competition plot and accents/dialogue not entirely realistic
10 May 2024
This season finale has it all.
4 May 2024
There's loads packed in to this edition and a multifaceted season conclusion, including an excellent and fun Father Brown / Sullivan dialogue. I do enjoy the zany relationship of Edgar and Mrs Divine, and I'm fine with it feeling quite a different show to the earlier cast because there are already so many fabulous episodes with them, and several pop back anyway. The series in general has a good balance of remembering the war whilst getting on with life, and this episode definitely does that. I'm really looking forward to seeing what is in store in 2025 - another Father Brown / Sister Boniface crossover would be fun.
Not as weird as I expected
4 May 2024
I'm not a fan of the weirder Father Brown episodes, so wasn't going to bother with this one, but actually it is much more comical than expected. There's some silly yet deeply touching scenes with Mrs Divine and Sullivan, which hints at what they will be like in the following season. I used to really enjoy that the show was pretty much couple-free as it contrasted with Midsomer Murders / Hallmark Mysteries, but having this romantic arc does add a lot of uplifting comedy / cute moments. Death in Paradise did the same thing, meaning episodes aren't so self-contained and you need to watch them in order, so it does change the way I rewatch these seasons.
Really fun episode - glad to hear it will be expanded on in the following season!
4 May 2024
This episode was so much fun, especially the Judge - I hope they do more guest stars in future. I'm so glad Tom Chamber returned - I always felt he left too soon. Whilst the feel has definitely changed with the new cast, I like the fresh start because the Fifties were for many people and so is post pandemic life for some of us. Plus previous characters make brief returns and we re-watch earlier episodes anyway, so still enjoy 'old friends'. Mrs Divine is a great mix of tragedy and comedy/joy which I find really empowering. I also enjoy the stories not being too dark - some in early seasons were too weird.
Shifting Gears
(2024 TV Movie)
Different job & cross-generational
27 April 2024
Obviously there are a few of the usual TV romcom clichés, but I like the different job setting and how the story spans four generations of the community. There's nothing super special yet it was a much-needed feel-good, comforting movie for us after a tricky week. We watched it for the different career element, not realising favourites like Tyler Hynes an Kristin Booth are in the cast, which is a bonus. The full-on loud music at the start doesn't occur much in the actual movie, so it is relatively calming, despite the different conflicts. I'm not especially into cars, but I would watch this as a reality show series as it is good to see practical skills being passed on and things being restored.
Great episode - lots of mystery and other plots all well balanced
26 April 2024
There's plenty packed in this Season Two finale - not least a real age spread of characters! Definitely best to watch the series in order as there are several references to previous episodes and of course Selwyn links us to Death In Paradise. As does having weekly bereavement which is not always part of the crime story - I like that they do this because it shows the side of grief that isn't usually included in DiP. I love that these BP puzzles often aren't murder - really refreshing as so many such dramas already. So glad to hear the announcement of 2024 Christmas Special and Season Three too. Just time to rewatch Humphrey's DiP before then to fill the void!
Should do a spin-off with new side-kick Kershaw (this feels like a back-door pilot)
22 April 2024
As unusual as it is to have a Morse episode without Lewis, along with the Victorian flashbacks, this edition is great! I'd love a cold-case spin-off with history-buff-come-cop Kershaw. It would have so many reference to police, forensic and general British past, plus tie-ins with Morse/Lewis/Endeavour and therefore be another source of inspiration for real-life students/academics to write about, like the current trilogy. The challenge is when to set it - this late 90s story pre-dates wide use of the internet, so the professional techniques of the contemporary scenes are almost as intriguing as the 1800s saga. Having researched my ancestry for decades and been able to reboot dead-ends with newer resources, I'd quite like three time frames 2020s, late 20th century and the earlier crime setting, with a younger and older Kershaw.
When Love Blooms
(2021 TV Movie)
Varied sound track, 2 generations, a range of topics & people
20 April 2024
Just when I was bored with romance movies, this came good. There's a number of business and relationship situations covered over two generations and some different skin tones / ethnicities. Generally in these movies, disability is underrepresented, but at least temporary issues are covered here. Best of all, the soundtrack is varied with a mix of tap-along and calmer tracks. I like the small cast combos of these pandemic-filmed movies - much more familiar, relatable and relaxing than those with larger crowd. The TV industry did an amazing job adjusting to all the constantly changing regulations and this genre especially produced some of its best work in that difficult time.
Intriguing mystery but too many other plots - Look out for excellent final shot :)
19 April 2024
The mystery is original enough but I'm not enjoying the Esther / Zoe stuff, apart from the way it parallels with Martha and Anne. Really Esther should spell it out to Zoe that her bad behaviour puts Esther in a difficult situation professionally, but mum also needs to praise daughter more when she does stay on track. Also this episode missed 'pre-twist' Richard - whilst I love there's a range of female characters, they do outnumber comedic Humphrey and Kelby, so Richard had filled a gap and balanced the show, plus he and Anne were super sweet together which contrasted with the mystery plot. There are the expected sad elements in this edition, but unusually, it lacks real laugh-out-loud moments. However, there's a lively nod to Humphrey's past life in the last scene - look out for a fun reference to an old friend in the closing shot.
Love the regular characters' fun
14 April 2024
I really tune into Midsomer Murders for the regulars and their lighthearted stories more than the mysteries. This has some good Barnaby humour throughout, with professional and personal stories tying together nicely. I'm glad I watched this in 2024 and not when it was filmed in 22 for reasons that are obvious when watching. It is weird-ish but not creepy which is good for me as I prefer these tamer episodes. Unusually, I followed this one fairly easily and I'd pretty much solved it, but got distracted by the other storylines because there is quite a lot packed in that I could relate to better.
Very significant for Morse Trilogy fans - but some very creepy male behaviour
13 April 2024
Probably the most significant for viewers of the sequel 'Lewis' and prequel 'Endeavour', there are links to all three series on several levels, both plot wise and in the cast. For that reason, and the content, it would actually have been a good alternative to the imminent Morse finale - the mystery is quite intriguing, plus the ending and possible character round-offs are more upbeat. However, whilst the instalment isn't as dramatic / traumatic as some, there is some really sad stuff in the middle which means we see some familiar actors in unusual parts / situations, which can not be unwatched!
Many mini mysteries
13 April 2024
There's a lot packed into this episode, with several intriguing situations and all the expected running jokes that balance the weekly sad twists. The fostering process is long, but I like the humour they include to fill the time frame as it really couldn't be rushed. This spin-off is much more serialised than Death In Paradise, especially DIP's earlier seasons, so it does very much feel like a fresh show but with all character warmth continued. The slightly bigger, wider-aged cast helps this new direction and provides more plots outside the main mystery - the full hour is essential for this, as 40 minute Madame Blanc series has too much crammed in. BBC evening dramas have often benefitted from this extra time, it really allows greater depth / variety / pace - the way Beyond Paradise blends fun and sadness is excellent, even just the last scene has it all!
One of a Kind Love
(2021 TV Movie)
Good movie but some irritating music
9 April 2024
Whilst this movie is not original, it is fine for all ages to watch. Unfortunately there is too much almost computer game style music, especially early one. I get that they were aiming for upbeat as this was made in the Covid Pandemic, but it soon gets beyond stale with repetitive rhythm and lack of melody. There are some more fitting tracks later on, but the main ones still feature too much - they just aren't in keeping with the jewel design / business / club prestige etc. This is such a shame, because having several characters over 50 would have made this movie rewatchable for years to come.
Who's who of 90s actors
3 April 2024
It's a fun episode to play 'Spot The Star' as they couldn't have crammed in many more 90s TV actors, with familiar faces from Pride and Prejudice, Lovejoy, Dangerfield, Where The Heart Is, Emmerdale and of course Peak Practice. However it also contains done-to-death drama tropes too, so not a particularly interesting plot. Three decades on, in the real world, some of these abuse issues have been partially addressed but this storyline serves as a sad reminder that we still have a way to go over all. For the die-hard fans, there's a bit of foreshadowing as we approach the end of the Morse era and it is great to see the early days of Doctor Laura Hobson before her longer role in the Lewis spin-off.
Gladiators
(I) (2024– )
Great fun
30 March 2024
Didn't see the original, but this is a change from other Saturday night shows and the ubiquitous quizzes, most of which I love. It's brilliant to have a show all ages can watch together so it works well having Bradley and Barney (father and son) presenting, especially following on from ladies Tess and Claudia doing Strictly before Christmas - we don't need a male and female heading every show as that becomes too samey. There are loads of amazing role models for girls and boys as all competitors and most of the Gladiators are great sports and the remaining Glads make excellent panto villains! Look forward to Season 2.
Beyond Paradise's signature heartbreak and hilarity
23 March 2024
Season Two starts with the show's usual mix of extreme tragedy and comedy, although the crime is more serious, akin to the mother series' premise than Season 1. It's great that the show covers several generations because no phase of life is settled and straightforward, especially these days. However, I dislike Esther's disrespect of her teenage daughter - she knows what it is to be one, so shouldn't mock her for having a big appetite whilst growing, studying and starting work. In contrast, Martha as helicopter daughter to her widowed mum is a brilliant and funny role reversal - the pace and timing of the door scene gave us just enough seconds to wonder will-she/won't-she and give us some light-hearted suspense to ease the sadness of the main mystery. Humphrey is bumbling-but-brilliant as always. They've done such a good job of bringing something different to Death In Paradise whilst still having broadly the same appeal and I'm looking forward to the female-lead Return To Paradise as the writer's Marlow Mystery Club starring Samantha Bond was equally excellent.
Sister Dating Swap
(2023 TV Movie)
Ok story and good ending, but not the best overall
13 March 2024
In theory this is a good pair of storylines, sisters swapping country and city lives, but in practice it doesn't quite shine. I don't think there's quite enough time to develop both plots, they're a bit bland as no time for original twists so it becomes two mediocre romcoms rather than one great movie. Similarly, the characters are real but not the most likeable. However the ending has some good movement and even allows for a sequel of some kind. Weirdly, the title Sister Dating Swap, doesn't really make sense - they don't swap dates, merely locations, but maybe they had to hurriedly change the name due to other movies.
If only Nell knew the whole story
13 March 2024
I really liked Toadie in all his family set ups and was gutted when the show returned with him divorced from Mel, but he and Terese make a good unit too - I just wish everyone would remember that Terese isn't the innocent victim either. I'd like Beth or Ned to come and set a few things straight about Terese's affair with Brad. In a way that was worse, at least Toadie and Brad went back to Mel and Lauren, women they would have still been with if it wasn't for ridiculous circumstances with other people's actions upsetting their relationships. This whole Toadie/Mel/Terese thing is so exhausting - but I feel so sorry for all of them because bereavement is the root cause of all their problems - Toad losing wives Dee and Sonya, Mel's divorce from Joe Mangel because he was still is love with his first wife Kerry, Lauren thinking her daughter with Brad had died, Terese losing Josh and Doug. When we've lived through 40 years of heartbreak with these characters, it is so sad to see them still suffering so much.
Grrr! Remember - Terese had an affair with married Brad!
12 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Not defending Toadie/Mel, but why does the show always insist on making Terese the innocent victim when she was the other woman and the reason Brad divorced first wife Beth?! Not only that, but she pushed Brad and Toadie away when they were really trying to resist connections with their former partners because she was so busy with her own issues. Unlike most viewers, I've enjoyed Toadie and Terese as a professional but fun couple and they would probably be a good long-term pairing for when older characters Paul, Karl and Susan 'retire', however with a total of about 10 weddings, so many kids/step kids and still only in their 40s, T&T always felt too fragile. If Terese had arrived a bit sooner and they'd not had all those previous marriages, they would have been a great pairing. The only good thing about this ridiculous scenario is that I feel for everyone - they've all been through so much pain, that they simply can't think / act straight.
Herbison ruins favourite characters ... again
8 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Jason Herbison has done so much to bring back old favourites, yet he insists on ruining them by making them all the same and therefore unrelatable. Too many marriages, too many affairs, I don't like or trust any of them any more. After quitting daily watching years ago because the characters had become to bland and lost their individuality, I popped back for this double-milestone week only to find it is still the same problem. The reason Toadie/Mel and Terese/Paul broke up, was ridiculous but at least it was original and the characters were well-meaning but now we're just back into the same old boring stories Herbison continues to throw at the show.
Brilliant conclusion and fun too!
7 March 2024
This second part is more fun than the first as the set ups come into play, but the mystery and characters remain strong. The double-feature format works much better than I was expecting because it allows for plenty of story development without being emotionally draining - the slower, riverside scenes balance the crime-solving action well. The four lead women are in quite different stages of life / career, so they fit together well. Despite being an attention-holding murder series, this is great for me to watch when I need to relax / calm down from day-to-day concerns and even go to sleep to as the soundtrack is generally one volume.
The Marlow Murder Club
(2024– )
Love it! Great all round.
7 March 2024
We really enjoyed this mystery from the writer of Death In Paradise - it is the same quality, if not better, yet a very different scenario. Being a double feature, there's plenty of plot but unrushed so it's entertaining without being too intense. The scenery and music are calming, making this very unlike Midsomer Murders / Vera etc, and the ending is multifaceted, with each character contributing. The four leads are excellent - different backgrounds and occupations integrating well. Episode two has a bit more humour, balancing out the tension as the storyline develops. I hope we get to see more soon.
Great start to this modern Marple / Murder, She Wrote
6 March 2024
As a big fan of Robert Thorogood's Death in Paradise etc, I had high hopes for Marlow and it didn't disappoint. I love that this is similar but different ie female lead with an even wider age range - although my one irk is that the parents need to discipline their kids more eg dock their allowance if they don't pull their weight! Like DiP, the mystery is gentle, but intriguing and the setting is beautiful. Unlike DiP, and most other mystery shows, the storyline is very long, being two feature length episodes, in the UKTV broadcast at least. It isn't as intense as Vera or Midsomer Murders et al, so I could possible watch it all in one go, but four short instalments might be more user-friendly.
Hope JJ finds peace
6 March 2024
I really hope JJ gets the answers he wants over his dad - it really annoys me that Remi, a doctor, would deliberately have a family where the children don't know their fathers - the first thing doctors always ask is 'What's your family medical history?' It is so important to track biological lines with all the medical issues we encounter in the 21st century. Talking of family lines, Holly Hoyland is a really good mix of Izzy and Karl - I can't believe she's only a few years off the age Izzy was when Holly was born - but I guess that's partly all the age / time jumps the show confuses us with. Also still can't get my head around Toadie and wife number 5 - gosh, he's a good 15 years younger than Paul, but has almost caught up. Despite ageing in sync, I do find it hard to relate to the Toad now, and his kids suddenly gaining 5 years, hasn't helped.
Good for Guy Pearce
5 March 2024
Absolutely love that Guy Pearce is still making these appearances - gosh, I thought having so many early era characters back was epic, but this is a whole other level.
However, as well intentioned as Mackenzie is, sex for those born female is very different to men / trans women and I really feel this content is not helpful to women in general, especially when just finding their way in the world. For several reasons / plot lines, this show is too complex now for kids to watch like millions did in the early days, which is a shame because all the main characters are so often kind-hearted, even Paul Robinson at times!
However, as well intentioned as Mackenzie is, sex for those born female is very different to men / trans women and I really feel this content is not helpful to women in general, especially when just finding their way in the world. For several reasons / plot lines, this show is too complex now for kids to watch like millions did in the early days, which is a shame because all the main characters are so often kind-hearted, even Paul Robinson at times!
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