The Full Monty

This show is 100% a slow burner. When the first episode came on I was worried, really really worried. The full Monty is my all time favourite film, I was upset for the fist 30 mins of the first episode, however stick with it and the original charm begins to shine through again, If you like the original film, you should definitely stick with it and keep on until at least episode 3. It's sad moving, bleak and funny, the same three things that's made the first one so good, it just dose it in a different way. I do however miss the orchestra throughout, that the first film had. The music is good through. Overall It could be bleaker but it works well.

I have fond memories of watching the 1997 film and I'm in no way one of those people that say a remake or sequel can spoil a movie from the past, it can't. The original film will always be what it was.

This follow-on tv mini series delivers how real life turns out. There's more elaboration on personal lives. Hardship, relationships, challenges, the nitty-gritty and the warmth that having good people in your life can bring.

It showcases real life in a typical working class city in the UK. The cast were great. An older version of their younger selves we remember from the late 90's. We can't forget this is over 25 years on from then. The world is a little different but the core of the characters remain the same albeit aged with what life brings.

The storylines take on a very modern view of today's world.

I've enjoyed each episode. There's a lot of drama, scandal, character devolpment and surprises thrown in.

The scenic pictures of Sheffield is charming. Good northern humour is thrown in to the mix of some deep storylines.

At only 8 episodes it had me wanting more.

'The Full Monty (2023)' is a sequel series to 'The Full Monty (1997)' that follows the cast of that movie as they navigate their daily lives. It doesn't focus on performing at a strip joint (there's only one nod towards the group's iconic stage show), instead spending its time charting the various stresses and struggles of these working class characters. It mixes family drama with social commentary, bouncing between its cast members so that they've pretty much all got at least one episode dedicated primarily to them (except for Tom Wilkinson, who kind of just sits there, and Hugo Speer, who only makes a handful of appearances). It takes quite a while to get into its groove, with a couple of notable dips here and there, but it eventually ends on a fairly strong note (even if the way it handles a certain significant element of its ending is notably strange). Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Lesley Sharp, Paul Barber and Steve Huison all reprise their roles really well, and the writing typically does these legacy characters justice. They're joined by a few newcomers, the most notable perhaps being Miles Jupp, but these are given perhaps a bit too much attention considering they aren't really who we came to see. Still, everyone does what they need to do and they mostly do it well. It's not a great series - and it's not particularly necessary, either - but it's enjoyable enough for what it is and it has a couple of stronger episodes in its back half.

Just binge watched the series, didn't mean to bit it was so good we couldn't stop.. The series follows on seamlessly 25 years on from the film. It holds the hard life on the dole as the film portrayed and takes us on a very credible journey in the lives of our heroes. New characters have been introduced that seam easily into the storyline. The writers have really thought about what would have happened over the 25 years and have developed very creditable storyline around the old characters as well as the new ones, resulting in a quite mesmerising take for the viewer to enjoy. If you enjoyed the film, this is a must watch series.

I love it, not because it's funny as the movie (although there are some really good laughs), but because it shows the actual real life, the good and the bad, and all the ugliness of modern society, that's supposed to be more advanced than it was in the past.

It also shows small and not so small good and beautiful things, that make life worth living. It also reminds us to pay attention to people we care for and to listen not only with your ears, but with your heart. Because someone might need your help, your friendship, your guidance, or even just a kind gesture or word, and you should recognize that, before it's too late.