A Town Called Malice

Don't get me wrong, this show is not a BAFTA award winner. It's actually quite bad, but and it's a huge BUT, it's really enjoyable. The music, the terrible story & the acting are all part of its charm.

It's taken everything from terrible 80s shows, awful action films, thrown in a great soundtrack, neon lights and a comical story then stuck them all in a blender, and out comes this mess of an enjoyable show.

I found myself, zoning out and just going with it. Personally I think we have got so wrapped up in pioneering shows, that's sometimes a soap operaesque show, which is just entertaining is ok to admit to enjoying.

This isn't 10/10 or portraying reality. It's just something to zone out to after a stressful day.

Sky seem to have a thing about producing glossy and quite clearly expensive productions that don't quite deliver in terms of overall quality or a second series. A Town Called Malice is another one of these.

I don't get the really negative reviews of this show. I thought it was good, especially the 80s soundtrack - get used to characters bursting into song and dance routines at random moments, and the costumes were great. Everything of this show when set in Spain is so colourful and glamorous, which is how we tend to see the 1980s, although in reality it wasn't quite like this. I was 12 when the 80s ended so do have some real life experience of what they were like. All the characters were well drawn, although my favourite was Kelly Lord played by Daniel Sharman - very easy on the eye and at first he sort of comes across as a reluctant gangster in this, gentle almost, compared to the rest of the Lord family, but does show his truer colours as the series goes on.

Unfortunately we aren't going to see whether the Lords manage to build their holiday resort with their ill-gotten gains as Sky announced the how's axing in April 2023. Whilst this wasn't the best show I've ever watched I think it is a shame we won't get any more episodes.

I have been looking forward to this show for months. I have to watch it all, mainly for Martha Plimpton who is a fine actress. I am of the same opinion as others, soundtrack great but plot is all over the place. At this point, I am curious as to Cindy - as she looked, I believed to be about 18 when we met her in episode 1. Now I am trying to get around the fact she was an adult with a child in 1979. Just how old is Cindy now? Determined to watch through to end. I hope though it is a complete series as it is somewhat painful to think there may be questions unanswered and a 2nd series is coming.

..

A watchable, quirky 80s crime show .. the plot has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese but the soundtrack makes up for it. Solid performances from Jason Flemyng and Martha Plimpton, (a very good actress) especially the former with his portrayal of Albert Lord - his dance moves are none too shabby either. This show is not looking to be the next Line of Duty but is instead a slightly left field take on the well churned out gangster show mixed with some dark comedy. If you like 80s music and dont take it too seriously you will find yourself watching all 8 episodes and smiling despite yourself.

I don't understand some of the bad reviews here. This series was great fun. It's supposed to be a caricature of criminal life in East London transplanted to the Costa. It's not aiming to be an accurate depiction. It takes inspiration from some real-life characters from the underworld, in 1980s London, and then makes them OTT to great effect.

The main characters are well-acted, particularly Ma and Cindy, and Jason Flemyng does his great scene-chewing piece. It's beautifully shot, with some great camera angles and use of natural light and colour. The recreation of the 80s, in the clothes, cars and gadgets is top notch.

And to opt it all off, the soundtrack is a fantastic tour through the great music of the 80s, with songs well-chosen for the scenes in which they're used. Having characters sing along with the lyrics is very funny too!

Well worth a watch. Accept it for what it is meant to be!