Stanley and the Women

The title "Stanley and the Women" really is accurate for Amis's book, which I liked a lot. But this miniseries ought to be called "Stanley and His Schizophrenic Son." Even at four hours, Stanley's relationships with his wife, ex-wife, female coworker, and the female psychiatrist are given short-shrift. With the exception of the coworker, all these characters are drawn with broad strokes, especially the psychiatrist, who seems like a bizarre Dr. Frankenstein from the first -- someone to whom the reasonable, well-off Stanley would never entrust his son.

Still, Thaw's performance is so good that I watched all four hours straight through.

Michael Elphick, who plays the current husband of Stanley's ex-wife, is also good. The low-key scenes between him and Stanley are the most believable in the production.