Finding Alice

I just wanted to slap Keeley Hawes' painfully neurotic, self-obsessed and annoying character throughout the two episodes I watched of this, the pairing of Nigel Havers and Joanna Lumley is almost like a wooden comedy act and the storyline two episodes in is just a bit ridiculous, especially the post death scene when a revolving door of characters turn up at the house just after the Harry character's death. Watched two episodes and wished someone had buried the script for this in their garden.

An example of a fine cast not making up for the inadequacies of the writing. The idea was good, the cast was good, it looked good, but the average storytelling crushed the lot.

The night that Alice, Harry and their daughter move into their new smart home, tragedy strikes, Alice is left vulnerable financially and mentally.

This is one of the most frustrating dramas I have ever endured. Six parts of melodrama, don't come here expecting mystery, suspense, or anything other than pure melodrama.

Not many of the characters here are likeable, indeed most of them are unpleasant, worst of all is Alice, who sees life through one single lens, her own, she's quite unpleasant.

You get a few chuckles, best character for me has to be Nicola, who's funny and very sincere.

An illustrious cast list including Havers, Lumley, Cranham and Jones, all are wasted. You watch Keeley Hawes in Part 5 of It's a Sin, and get an idea of what she's capable of, compare that to this.

Would I watch it again, or recommend it, the answer is no. All of the talent in this could have made something really good. It's irritating. 5/10.

Great cast and well acted, but the protagonist Alice is just so painful to watch. Her behaviour and actions are increasingly irritable and you end up really disliking her and struggle to empathise with her.

There are some nice moments as well as some clever satire, but it isn't enough to keep you watching. The story and scenarios are often flawed and implausible, particularly Alice's reactions and behaviour.

We tried to sit through hoping it would improve, but after three episodes we gave up.

I almost decided not to watch this as it was rated 5.6 overall but then I read a 10* review against a 1* review and knew I had to watch it. And I'm so glad I did. This is an excellent black comedy with a great plot and some very funny one liners. Of course, I understand perfectly why some people might not take to this; black comedy is not to everyone's taste. However, anyone who derides the acting just because they don't like the script is entirely ignorant of the craft/art of acting; this is a cast of superb actors and they know exactly how to play this script. I look forward to the second series.