It seems some reviewers here, and in the media in general, were predetermined to hate this show. Offended that the producers and creators had the temerity to even make it. Couldn't wait to rag on it, no matter the content. Well, I'm not particularly a cricket fan or a Shane Warne fan, but I am a drama fan and I thought this was a really entertaining, well made, well paced, well written mini series. The structure's nifty - bounces and darts around (dare I say like one of Warne's spin bowls) but is never confusing. The show is clearly intended for a mainstream audience so it's not esoteric or confusing; it's lively and fun. The performances, specially from the two leads, are terrific and the directing and editing are nippy and fresh. The writing gives a real sense of Warne's complexities and contradictions as a person without wallowing in introspection or becoming navel-gazing. The cricket sequences - both archival footage and reshot drama inserts - are integral and exciting and do a great job of dramatising Warne's extraordinary talent as a spin bowler. So give this show a watch with an open mind and there's heaps to enjoy.
