john-83969

It is not an enjoyable film. The billionaires and oligarchs, who live beyond taxes and the law, will destroy democracy and the planet through corruption and misinformation. Caught up in this world is a helpless prostitute who has no freedom despite living in a country where supposedly inalienable rights can be squashed. Too much time was spent in the film pursuing the impulsive dissolute groom. A lot of time was also spent in a shouting stalemate. However, it was possible to forget we were looking at actors. They inhabited their roles totally. Possibly Oscar-worthy for acting, not the film itself. One odd thing was the speed at which the couple acquired fluency in each other's languages from a start when they could barely communicate.

The program is excellent, but there were more nuances in reality. There were many radical changes under Margaret Thatcher, but by the third term there was already hubris that had caused rumblings, especially over the "poll tax". The real interview was not an obvious defeat, and much longer. The programmes apparent claim that the interview was the start of Margaret Thatcher's downfall is therefore misleading. Plots were already happening because of Lawson's departure and later because of Howe's speech. The epilogue with Margaret Thatcher holding forth after her resignation, looked like a eulogy for her policies, that are now the political norm. Steve Coogan's ability to slip into an character is remarkable. Harriet Walter looked more like Nancy Reagan, but had the right voice and mannerisms. I would say it is a successful, thought-provoking programme.