Humaira Grant
It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Scarlet
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Caryl
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
KexUK
This is a dark, thick marmalade with a strong taste of bitter oranges.A very appropriate description for the Inspector Lewis series.The Inspector Lewis crime mysteries are thick with counter plots leaving plenty of room for digesting many suspects in our thoughts.The scripts are strong and deliciously diverse. You are never quite sure what will arouse your mental palate next.The blending of the 'coaser'northern yet compassionate temperament of Lewis is delicately complimented by the more refined and almost zen-like and endearing intellect of Seargent Hathaway. The whole concoction gives a piquant flavour which is perfectly produced and acted within wonderful settings in Oxford that tempt you to rest in tradition but vault you into the present.Just as that marmalade on the toast in the morning launches you into the day as the flavour hits your sensesStanding in it's own right this series is amazingly good. It is not possible, however,to totally separate this series from the indelible Morse.It's like toast and marmalade.It is sufficient to say,however,that Lewis is as impressive as Morse - perhaps more so since Morse set the level very high. All in all a most excellent marmalade.
plazaliz
The past couple of years I've had the opportunity to watch several British television series, most recently Inspector Lewis. It's easy to see why this series is so well liked, and now a personal favorite. The plots aren't superficial, the episodes need to be watched carefully in order to not become completely lost. It's a great plus when television can actually engage the mind. There are many references to classic books, plays and music that motivate further research, another plus. Oxford is an interesting and beautiful setting and has brought to life a place that for me has been mostly abstract. The two Inspectors add much needed levity and fresh air to the stuffy university environment, each in their own way. Even though a gifted scholar himself Hathaway's disdain for Oxford and academics in general gives his character authenticity and an edge that's strangely appealing. Laurence Fox does a fabulous job portraying a deeply thoughtful, perhaps somewhat troubled former seminary student turned police inspector, and leaves an intriguing, mysterious allure. Lewis, well-played by Kevin Whately, is a no-nonsense, no frills, honest to the core, kind-hearted, hard-working loyal/devoted family man and friend. He and Hathaway are introverts and keep their personal lives private, a couple colleagues out for a beer much preferable to large gatherings. They "get" each other. Hathaway made the comment that if Lewis ever retired he'd probably do something else because who else would understand him so well? I have also enjoyed the character Dr. Laura Hobson played by Clare Holman, a welcome addition to the cast. It would be great to see her more, have her character developed more. The only irritation for me personally is the character CI Jean Innocent. It's not Rebecca Front's acting because she does such a great job coming across as a hard-nosed superior I often get the urge to whop her upside the head. It's difficult to fathom anyone working more than a few months for someone who is so critical, demeaning, demanding, unbending, appearance motivated and just pretty much an arrogant shrew who likes to throw her weight around, who constantly questions the detectives' judgment even though she's been proved wrong multiple times and never misses the opportunity to cross her arms, raise her eyebrows and make remarks like "don't do it again"; get this settled now or else..."; "I should demote you to street cop but..." "I mean business, get it done...", etc., etc. Unless she's schmoozing with highbrows she's not a nice person. She once looked at the detectives across from her desk after she'd given them instructions and asked, "why are you still sitting here like dogs waiting for a trick?" Really?? She's depicted as a male-basher in a permanent bad mood, like so many British women seem to be portrayed in British series. I don't get it because I've done business and been in various organizations with British women and have had nothing but pleasant experiences, always charming and professional. Most anyone in a position like CI Innocent with that kind of personality would have a constant stream of requests for transfers on her desk and would eventually be under investigation by HR herself. The medieval authoritarian is in serious need of a chill pill. (Xanax anyone?) Other than that it is an absolutely wonderful series with intelligent plots, talented acting, most potentially messy scenes left up to the imagination, lots of well-known actor appearances, intriguing settings and not even close to becoming tiresome or repetitious. I applaud the shows creators and writers, really excellent work.
wisely_said
Be honest, please. 1) It's never wrong to love. Okay. So love. 2) If you are gay don't go to a straightening meeting for "couples therapy." WHAT? How stupid ARE these people? Go to a gay bar and talk to the bartender instead. The outcome will be better. I really really really didn't get that part. 3) If nobody is forcing you to go to this meeting, don't kill the people who are leading it. They're entitled to their opinion. Everybody is. If your cause is just, people will catch on. 4) Is this supposed to engender sympathy for gays? It didn't. It made them look pitiful and stupid and hateful and crazy. The religious folks came off as shallow stereotypes. Did those religious people torture the gay people? No. Did the gays torture AND kill the religious people? Yes. 5) Isn't using a woman in the role of a trans-gendered man the same as putting a white actor in black face? Inspector Lewis is my only reason for giving this ANY points when he gives the only honest line of the entire show. He points out that people with causes really are no different from people with religion. This was a poorly written episode. Plot points were stretched to the point of breaking and the end was an overly dramatic bit of exploitative filler one would expect from a lesser series.
clemsamlang
I agree with the previous-to-me-poster: Sgt. Hathaway IS a very attracting character! … I just wonder, if his surname is intentionally the same as Will Shakespeare's wife's, Anne Hathaway - ?!?Did the authors intend a dramatic or psychological allusion to HIM? (E.g.: is James' role supporting a "scholar of human nature", Lewis ? …)Then, it's fascinating how regional peculiarities are "transponed" into the German synchronized texts…What I like very much about the whole setup is a nearly "catholic" setup of the scenery (camera again and again moving over cupolas, churches) that bears a very distinct semblance to Florence or even Rome itself… which again is hinted to by James being an ex-seminarist, isn't it ?(*** next best being "Linley & Havers" in my opinion.)P.s.: "Morse" never ran in Germany as far as I can see. Maybe the pre-sequel "Endeavour" will some day? I haven't looked into that, yet, though.
