Elizabeth Is Missing

Glenda Jackson's friend Elizabeth s missing but no one pays any attention what Maude (Glenda) is saying They dismiss her. By the way Maude has dementia and has notes all over reminding her what to do and not to do. She lives in a state of haphazard order and with a feeling of futility. This crusade to find Elizabeth only makes her feel even more helpless and yet with a firm resolve to do SOMETHING.

She is also remembering her sister who mysteriously disappeared years ago. What happened to her?

For fans of Glenda Jackson, this is a must-see. Glenda is spectacular. I predict she will be winning awards for this. In fact, she has already won British awards for this. Miss this and you miss one of the many great performances of Glenda Jackson.

An interesting take, on the immensely difficult subject of Dementia. Glenda Jackson, gives a sympathetic and enigmatic performance as an old lady, struggling with the present and the past. It's wonderful to see this talented actress back on our screens - and to see a storyline, that draws you in and keeps you hopeful for an ending - that makes sense of the confusion suffered by a woman who is suffering from this appalling condition.

I don't think I have ever written a review before but after watching this I felt compelled to.

Glenda Jackson's portrayal of a lady who has Alzheimers is played fantastically. I have worked with people with dementia/Alzheimers for 20 years. When programs like this come out I always watch and criticise because some performances are laughable. But this one was relatable on so many levels.

Glenda Jackson makes her return to screen acting after 27 years. During that time she became an elected Labour MP and Minister of State for Transport.

It is easy to dismiss this as a drama of an old woman with advancing dementia. Elizabeth is Missing shares somewhat with Christopher Nolan's Memento. Maud is suffering from dementia. The missing memories means she has no idea as to what has happened to her friend Elizabeth.

Maud's search for Elizabeth also unlocks deeply buried memories of another mystery in Maud's past. That of her older sister who has been missing since 1949.

As the drama goes on, I sort of guessed what may have happened to Elizabeth. Maud's behaviour such as her constant gardening leads to a more interesting story.

Jackson claims that she understood the devastation of dementia from the old people's homes she visited during her time as a politician. You can tell you are watching a master craftsman at work, just watch her gait as Maud goes searching for her friend.

I am so glad to see Glenda Jackson back on the box, hard to believe she's 83 here, still has such gravitas as an actress, terrific to watch. Overall I thought this was excellent, at times hard to watch because of the subject material, but ultimately rewarding. Twenty seven years away from tv, and nothing has changed.

If I'd had any sense I would have saved this for Christmas day, as it's not the most amazing schedule imaginable. However I watched it, and loved it. Refreshing to watch a one off ninety minute drama, I miss this format, not always do you want to watch a seven part drama, this was a nice change up.

Watching this and having a family member who suffers with dementia brought it home just how tough it really is.

Some uncomfortable scenes, but a great story, and of course the wonderful Glenda Jackson, a winner. 9/10