La costa del crimine

There are so many clues that A Town Called Malice is a deliberate farce, the prime clues being the frequent scenes where the cast start singing to the backing music - true pastiche.

So the first thing we should be cognisant of is that this is a show that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's designed to take the mickey out of the times and the situations, and it does so with some gusto.

Amongst all this is a one family crime wave arriving on the Costa del Sol chasing riches with little care for the imprudence of their actions. They leave a trail of destruction in their wake, and come up against some stiff opposition, but they also give way to the comedic imperatives of the show - so the bumbling clowns get off the hook when in reality they would more than likely have parted ways with their heads.

The music is terrific, the show is outrageous - good times.

I don't understand some of the bad reviews here. This series was great fun. It's supposed to be a caricature of criminal life in East London transplanted to the Costa. It's not aiming to be an accurate depiction. It takes inspiration from some real-life characters from the underworld, in 1980s London, and then makes them OTT to great effect.

The main characters are well-acted, particularly Ma and Cindy, and Jason Flemyng does his great scene-chewing piece. It's beautifully shot, with some great camera angles and use of natural light and colour. The recreation of the 80s, in the clothes, cars and gadgets is top notch.

And to opt it all off, the soundtrack is a fantastic tour through the great music of the 80s, with songs well-chosen for the scenes in which they're used. Having characters sing along with the lyrics is very funny too!

Well worth a watch. Accept it for what it is meant to be!

A family of petty thieves from South London decamp to Spain to profit from an unexpected windfall.

I went into this viewing following checking the reviews on here, but I wanted to give this latest series of Love's a chance.

Glad I did, it's not as bad as people here have said, granted it's not academy award worthy, but it is worth watching.

The 80s music soundtrack is it's strength, along with some good acting, especially from, Flemyng, and, Sharif.

Watch it, and enjoy, as said, it's not as bad as you make think, and that's why I have cast my rating as a solid 7 stars out of ten.

If you loved the 80's, you'll like this more.

I have been looking forward to this show for months. I have to watch it all, mainly for Martha Plimpton who is a fine actress. I am of the same opinion as others, soundtrack great but plot is all over the place. At this point, I am curious as to Cindy - as she looked, I believed to be about 18 when we met her in episode 1. Now I am trying to get around the fact she was an adult with a child in 1979. Just how old is Cindy now? Determined to watch through to end. I hope though it is a complete series as it is somewhat painful to think there may be questions unanswered and a 2nd series is coming.

..

Hoped for this to be good more than I did Santa being real as a kid.

Soundtrack is amazing although it's clear it's what carries every episode with so many songs crammed in, as with the attire.

Acting is just above GCSE drama level at best although the storyline does have substance even though it's nothing that hasn't been done before.

How much is packed in to the first and last episodes could've given an extra episode rather than cramming it all in.

Hoping for more for season two given that budget obviously isn't a problem.

Last episode bought it up to a 6 from a 4 for me.

Extra star given for Paul Weller cameo....mush.