National Treasure

Doing a re-watch of visionary Marc Munden's filmography & "National Treasure" is still one of the most technically impressive shows Channel 4's ever made in its entire history; genuinely insane how high the production values look for a series which would've been nowhere near as expensive as it appears on screen. Boasts truly exceptional filmmaking & acts as an astonishing achievement for all the cast & crew involved.

Writer & creator Jack Thorne turns out some of his strongest scripts & the direction (coupled with Ole Bratt Birkeland's stunning cinematography) elevates them even further. Each & every episode's edited to perfection, scored beautifully by Cristobal Tapia De Veer & the performances are outstanding - especially from Julie Walters, who truly shines here. Aged like fine wine.

Seriously, does anyone do topical stuff better than Marc Munden? Can't think of one single superior alternative. Time after time, he tackles potentially controversial subject matter in such an audacious & unflinching way, without being exploitative / triggering. Strikes a phenomenal balance & remains respectful whilst doing justice to the horror of the subject matter featured. Remarkable.

Watching Andrea Riseborough's character in this film is the real treasure. Fantastic job from years gone past. It's hard to tell who(m) this story is based on but it doesn't matter. The seediness, manipulation and deceit is true enough. This is a very dark film that is not for everyone. The method of slowly unraveling or diving into the depths of sick and/or greedy or self-absorbed humans is disturbing and will stay with you. I felt there were a few holes. Some stuff purposely left to your imagination, but some unresolved. It was well made, and again, worth watching Riseborough's performance as a younger actor.

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

In his heyday, Paul Finchley (Robbie Coltraine) was one half of a comedy double act with his partner Karl (Tim McInnery) who were adored throughout the land, but today rests in the side lines, dealing with his troubled addict daughter Dee (Andrea Riseborough) and emotionally distant wife Marie (Julie Walters.) But this all changes when he finds himself arrested over an historical allegation of sexual abuse by a former baby sitter of his daughter, and sinks further and further into an ever wider hole when more women come forward and the allegations mount up. As the stress of the impending trial takes over, and his private life slips further into turmoil, Paul is forced to examine himself over the years, and the actions and behaviours that may have led to his predicament.

In the immediate aftermath of the revelations about Jimmy Savile, Operation Yewtree was launched by the Metropolitan police, in an attempt to save face by investigating historical allegations about other, still living former big name stars from the 70s/80s, some of which resulted in convictions. National Treasure, however, seems to be modelling itself on cases such as that of comedian Jim Davidson, who was arrested at an airport upon return from a holiday on the basis of one allegation, which escalated into a witch-hunt where many more women came forward, only for no charges to be brought, in spite of what many could already have claimed was a trial by media. If you follow the news, it's certainly not hard to see the foundations from which this drama drew inspiration, and it certainly comes off in a believable and thought provoking way.

The first episode certainly dispenses with its fair share of celebrity cameos, from stars including Alan Carr and Frank Skinner, but it never feels tacky or gratuitous. The most important star is the main one, in the shape of Coltraine, a performer who seems to have been out the limelight for a little bit now, but who makes a revelatory return to form here. As the former icon turned pariah, he fits the skin and bones of the role down to a tee, and it's tough to think of anyone who could have been better suited. The always reliable Walters compliments him perfectly as his understanding, extremely forgiving wife. More than being a riveting courtroom thriller, it works more as a character study and examination of the past and present and how they may have shaped each other.

It works on pretty much all the levels it sets out to, and it's an inspired piece in terms of everything that tears a subject from recent headlines and does it proud. ****

"National Treasure" is about a famous and much loved British comic actor, one half of a double act, a Morecambe or a Wise, a Cannon or a Ball perhaps, who is accused of the rape of an underage girl. It handles a deeply contentious subject very sensitively and it allays any fears in the first episode that it might be exploitative or in poor taste. It's beautifully acted; Robbie Coltrane is the accused man, the 'National Treasure' of the title, (this may be the best thing he's done since the TV series "Cracker"), but the real 'national treasure' here, of course, is Julie Walters, recipient of more BAFTA's than most of us have had hot dinners. As Coltrane's long-suffering wife she is simply magnificent. As a comic actress Walters can sometimes go off at the deep end but she underplays superbly here. Her grief and her rage are tangible and I fully expect her to pick up another BAFTA, and perhaps an Emmy, for her collection. This is a drama I approached with caution; now I am very glad I approached it at all.

Magnetic performances in a story about a charismatic performer with a complicated family life (to put it mildly). The two lead actors were mesmerizing in their interaction a a long-married couple with secrets and lies aplenty.

The script is smart and compelling -- addressing issues of man/woman relationships in serious situations involving control and secrecy. It's heart-wrenching at times and infuriating in others. Still, a magnificent collaboration between screenwriter, director, and actors. Highly recommend this for the discerning viewer.