User reviews

I never cease to be amazed at what one finds in the local library in a small town in Florida. During a wet few days, due to a stalled hurricane, I borrowed a DVD with Timothy Spall's name on the box expecting it to be a two hour movie. Was I ever surprised! This was one of the most riveting stories I have ever seen, and I watched the entire saga in one sitting.

As the extended family gathered for a all-expenses paid reunion at a London hotel, the characters meet other relatives whom they had either not known about or had little contact with. The family had once been wealthy and successful, but as subsequent generations branched off, some had fallen on hard times. They begin to discover their similarities. Michael Gambon was superb as the black sheep son who had lost the business his father had built up when he ventured out on his own. When he has to stay at his cousin Ernest's London flat to recuperate after a collapse, he finds that his cousin shares his taste in British war movies starring Jack Hawkins.

Matthew McFaddeyn played the son who had no idea that he was related to a wealthy family. Upon meeting them he is taken with the kind of wealthy upper middle class life he could have had.

Timothy Spall played the more than slightly disreputable cousin into various questionable ventures with the oily charm of a junk car dealer from the wrong side of town. He sees the reunion as a business networking opportunity.

The three eccentric old aunts played by veteran British actresses of the 40's and 50's, at least one of whom starred in a Jack Hawkins film. Anton Lesser was the historian who uncovered many of the family secrets and lies which affect future generations and some of which are a repeated trait.

The performances are brilliant. My only reason for not rating this film a 10 is that the back stories somehow seem to interrupt the flow of the present day story. I realize that the stories of the past are essential to the narrative, yet they seemed out of place.

I will definitely be viewing this for a second time.

There's a lot to like about this excellent British drama. The story about the relationships between the members of a family, may seem a bit too simple, and the lack of big surprises may disappoint some people, but anyone who takes a closer look, will discover a rich, subtle, heartwarming family drama that offers very authentic, original characters and more emotions and reality than any soap opera will ever do. Stephen Poliakoff's direction is impeccable, the casting is truly perfect (even for the smallest roles), the actors never less than wonderful. The beautiful music supports the dramatic events in a way that 'Perfect Strangers' will be in your head for several days. An absolute masterpiece.

This drama is 4+ hours long but it held us in its power throughout. It was not originally intended to be seen all in one day, of course, but is so gripping that if you have it all you'll want to see it all. Some of Britain's finest stage and TV talent was gathered for this - the BBC must have known they were on to a good thing when they saw the script - and that talent is deployed masterfully.

It bears a passing resemblance to "Shooting the Past", another Poliakoff piece for which we have a lot of time. But Perfect Strangers is better. The story is more plausible, the script is better and the characters more rounded.

As far as TV drama goes, this is about as good as it gets. Highly recommended.

I would just like to take this moment to withdraw an earlier comment I have made, Stephen Poliakoff is not the second greatest person working on T.V, he is THE greatest person ever to work on T.V and Perfect strangers is his masterpiece. Developing themes explored in his earlier work Shooting the Past, Perfect Strangers captures the magic and wonder surrounding such things as war stories, mysterious photographs, and dark secrets and hidden stories from family trees. But it's the way he tells these stories, using instantly likeable characters and beautifully worded passages to create a tale, which anyone with a childhood will instantly recognise and relate to. Although the programme is only a third the way through, the final part comes next Thursday, I feel it's safe to say that Poliakoff has created an everlasting programme which will be rediscovered and repeated for years to come. Perfect Strangers deserves to win all the BAFTAs and Media awards it will surely be nominated for.

Mild-mannered surveyor (a valuer, as we call them down here) Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen), an obscure member of the prominent and wealthy Symons family is invited, with his parents to a family reunion at Claridge's Hotel. The family, many of whom he has not met before are indeed a rich and varied bunch, and Stephen (Anton Lesser), a genealogist member, has collected all sorts of surprising information. Daniel also meets cousins Rebecca and Charles (Claire Skinner and Toby Stephens), and their elegant aunt Alice (Lindsay Duncan), who seem to hold the key to part of Daniel's own past. Daniel develops a rather un-family like attraction to Claire, which is a little awkward as she seems rather close to her brother, Charles.

Needless to say, a family like this has plenty of skeletons, but there are also some vaguely uplifting stories, like that of the sisters from Birmingham who by a fluke avoided a German bomb on their house and then lived for months during the war in the country by themselves. Then there is the photo, found by Stephen, which so intrigues Raymond (Michael Gambon), Daniel's father, of his father, a bitter stern man, dancing by himself in an ornamental garden. And who is the third child in the childhood photos of Rebecca and Charles?

All is explained, though the pace slows down a bit towards the end – in fact I felt I'd walked the long and damp distance between the mansion and the marquee too many times. Stephen Poliakoff has created an interesting set of minor characters also, such as wheeler-dealer Irving (Timothy Spall), Poppy the event organiser at the end of her tether (Kelly Hunter) and even Ernest the nonentity patriarch (Peter Howell). The whole thing for most of its 300 minutes has a festive feel to it – a celebration of belonging, for better or worse, to the human family. This family is a little over the top - it would not be surprising to discover they had issued their own visa card - but there's a lot of fun in finding out their secrets.

I am approaching 40, and have a family of my own. I also recall memories from my childhood; family celebrations; weddings; christenings.

One recalls all those people that seemed immortal. One's parents,captured in photographs; cousins whom one has not seen for years. Then in middle age, you meet people to whom you are related. but have not seen for years. You see pictures of those that are no longer with you.

Perfect Strangers is a sublime drama, one which evokes much of the above and so much more. The central performances are touching and evocative. Matthew Mcfadyen is totally convincing as Daniel, and he is well supported by Michael Gambon, Lindsay Duncan, Claire Skinner and Toby Stephens.

Stephen Poliakoff creates a memorable drama, more remarkable in an age of instant TV, reality TV and vapid game shows. Lose yourself in the characters, and the charming, touching story. I dare you not to shed a tear, not to be drawn into the images, the music....in an all to shallow world, this reminds us of what drama can do. Enchanting.

This is one of the best TV productions of the last ten years. It is being screened on BBC4 as part of the Poliakoff season, and it's a complete delight to see again. The whole cast is terrific. I could watch Gambon just standing in a bus queue.

Poliakoff himself says - a little diffidently - that he wants to make television that people remember. I expect most directors do, but few succeed. I have remembered stills, scenes, even expressions from this drama after five years. Watching it again was like looking through a photo album. It was 'familiar' in more ways than one.

(I've finally worked out that Jason Klamm's perplexing comment on this board is based on the presumption that Stephen Poliakoff's original drama is following on from some late 80's US comedy series. I promise you, the two productions have NO connection apart from the title... not even fifth cousins.)

Daniel (Matthew Macfadyen) convinces his father, Raymond (Michael Gambon) to accept an invitation to a large, family reunion. As a fringe member of the Symon clan, Raymond retreated, in shame, to a semi-rural home after his business failed and never stayed in touch with his relatives. But, off they go. Almost upon arrival, Daniel is attracted to a young, beautiful cousin, Rebecca (Claire Skinner) and makes friends with her gregarious brother, Charles (Tobey Stephens), too. Rebecca, also, makes an effort to spend time with her handsome relation, although she seems secretive about certain aspects of the family's history. For example, she wants nothing to do with her Aunt Alice but Daniel can't understand why, for Alice, one of the reunion's organizers, is lovely and sweet. Then, too, old family photos show up, ones that baffle Daniel and his father, for they don't remember folks taking their pictures as children or what they were doing at the time. In addition, Raymond makes a fool of himself at a large banquet, resulting in a serious medical emergency, while three older cousins confide their secrets to Daniel, too. What a mixed up family this is! As a fan of most BBC productions, this one is rather an odd bird. It has some terrific performers, especially the extremely handsome and gifted Macfadyen, with Skinner, Timothy Spall, Stephens and all of the others in great support. Then, too, the scenery, costumes, and production elements are very fine. Yet, the story is an enigma, wrapped in a puzzle, as they say, and seems meandering and pointless, at times. If you are a fan of Macfadyen, and who is not since his great turn in Pride and Prejudice, you might want to give this one a try. But, although others may praise it highly, this reviewer found it tedious, despite a good beginning, and will certainly never watch it again.

I was totally enthralled. I thought this was one of the best things I have seen on Television. I still think about it several years later and will certainly get a copy to keep in my collection to watch again. But not too often - I don't want to spoil a good thing by over familiarity. Since I first saw Perfect Strangers I have sought out everything Stephen Poliakoff has written. I have not been disappointed with the quality of his other plays and television writing. He is simply brilliant. In the Perfect Stranger the cast was Perfect with the mood evocative of an earlier gentler more refined age. Understated, sad, interesting nostalgia but never overly sentimental nor cloying. The sort of thing which British television is so good at. It would be unfair to pick out any particular aspect for praise as it was all so good. Having said that however I must mention Claire Skinner. I don't know why she has not become an A list Superstar. Maybe that is her own choice, but I would rather go and see her in anything she does rather than see any of the other so-called superstars. Maybe she is just famous on British television but if so Amercian television and Hollywood have certainly missed the boat by not grabbing her.

I think that Stephen Poliakoff has created a masterpiece here. Not only is the story line excellent, but the choice of cast is wonderful. I was hooked from the very first episode and cannot wait for the final episode in two days. It makes a nice change to have such a brilliant and enchanting program on TV.

I so looked forward to seeing this. I even bought an advance copy of the video. After "Shooting The Past" I expected another masterpiece and was eager to watch it. I was so disappointed. The story line was thin and the revelations were hardly arresting. Even the dialogue was mundane. Often a response to a line was a mere repetition of the previous one.

The characters had no depth and the story was dragged out over the 3 episodes - 4½ hours of meandering nowhere. "Shooting The Past" was a truly fantastic story and production and I have recommended it to many people, but I'm sorry, "Perfect Strangers" is not in the same league at all. Were it not for the beguiling presence of Lindsay Duncan I probably would not have waited till the 3rd episode, desperately hoping for something interesting to happen. On the strength of "Shooting The Past" I shall always watch Poliakoff, but please let the next one be substantial (and I'll forget this one)!

I caught this movie on a re-run on BBC America. It was late at night. the movie caught me unawares and drew me in to its web like a spider might. I spent the next several hours amazed at the tenderness of the story, the sadness of the characters and he sheer thrill of discovery just over the threshold. If only American TV could be so good. Ever so often you discover a jewel, Perfect Strangers (Almost Strangers in America on BBC America) is one of those jewels. It has a strong central character, plenty of supporting characters and people you find yourself rooting for. Secretly, we all have family members like these. A familiar face on a new wardrobe. Watch the movie. You will not forget it.

This program was a real change to the drab norm of BBC productions. Each part revealed an enchanting yet mysterious progression of the storyline, and the music beautifully accompanied the changing moods of the play. The direction of the program was absolutely superb and the script brilliantly written and performed with great skill by talented actors such as Timothy West and Claire Skinner. There should be more programs of this quality on British television.

Over a decade on, and Perfect Strangers remains one of the best pieces of drama I have ever seen. The story of the family karaoke begins in quite light fashion, almost light-heartedly, but as it develops it turns into something incredibly moving, delving into relationships, love, the human spirit, and so much more.

The performances are spellbinding, they went all out in assembling a true wealth of talent, Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Gambon, Anton Lesser to name but a few are simply brilliant, but it's Lindsay Duncan's mysterious character Alice that intrigues the most.

The mini stories throughout are diverse and incredibly engaging, the one involving the three sisters had me close to tears, it's one of the most moving, emotional things I've ever seen.

Poliakoff has done some incredible work over the years and this for me has to be the highlight. After this went out I wrote to him thanking him for this, I got a wonderful response. As always I await Poliakoff's work with true eagerness.

You cannot help but get totally immersed when you watch Perfect Strangers, it's one of those rare things you watch, that you dread the end credits.

Magical 10/10

To be perfectly honest with you I was amazed by this series. I am an avid Matthew Macfadyen fan and I had prepared myself for almost 4 hours (yes, all episodes in one sitting) of joy. But what I saw or rather EXPERIENCED caught me off guard.

At first, the first couple of minutes, I felt a bit bored, like nothing actually interesting was going on and then there was the ending. That was it! 4 hours had passed without me even realising it. The acting, the story, the scenery, the old photographs and the abandoned rooms had sucked me in like it was the most natural thing in the world. And that is exactly what surprised me really, how honest and down to earth this series was. I found myself able to relate to each and every one of the characters, even the elderly, even the quirky ones (sleazy Irving for example or slightly neurotic Poppy). Because, even though there were some comic features these people were not caricatures, they were all portrayed as proper human beings with all the aspects of human behavior and emotion according to personality.

Growing up, I've had my own share of large family meetings and everything that I had experienced was there, the awkwardness, the embarrassment, the joy of learning a little bit more about the family each time you meet and, most of all, that bond you feel with people that - as it seems at least - are so utterly different than you yet you share the same blood and that, somehow, means something. It's exactly like another reviewer (Cartimandua) said before me (yet in a slightly different context) "It was like looking through a photo album. It was 'familiar' in more ways than one."

The most extraordinary thing about 'Perfect Strangers' is how extraordinarily simple it is actually. Just watch it.

I haven't stopped to write a review in ages, but I was captured by this entire production. The casting was wonderful. The writing kept my head wondering--nothing was predictable, in advance. The actors were all exactly on the mark. Such a wide range of characters for one family--yet not that different. I got this from Netflix & had to wait a couple days, for disc 2. The second I popped it into the DVD player, I was immediately engrossed again. This was such a clean movie, for a switch. I only remember a couple swear words..one near the end and another towards the beginning. Everyone was dressed like a conservative proper family would be dressed. I don't even recall any cleavage showing. My one downside was, there were 2 brief upper nudity scenes that seemed forced & unnecessary. Upside, there were no sex scenes. Gee, I sound like a prude, but it gets tiresome when every movie fills in sex scenes, car chase scenes & vulgar words in lieu of writing a good script. I really enjoyed this & recommended it to friends. In the end, everything had nice closure except one thing, and I don't think the family will ever have it either.

As someone who has watched, probably thousands, of TV shows, the expectations for this piece by an acclaimed creator and with a promising and well established cast were no doubt high.

And it certainly pays off without a doubt. The costume work is splendid, and the cinematography is great.

The brilliant cast is directed to perfection and all do an incredible job.

It is very much a beautifully put together piece, and rivals some of the best series in terms of its impressive imagery, cinematography and visual language.

Overall, an interesting and well made piece that is very much recommended.

Perfect Strangers was first aired in May 2001. I was in the midst of my final year degree exams. The first part was shown the night before one of my exams and I recorded it to watch another time so that I could do revision. About 20 minutes into the programme, I took a break from revision and decided to watch the programme for a short time. Perfect Strangers was so captivating that I didn't return to my revision until the programme finished!

Perfect Strangers has a wonderful music score by Adrian Johnston. I was thrilled to find that the following year, a CD of the score had been released. (It includes Adrian Johnston's score from Shooting The Past, an earlier drama also by Stephen Poliakoff and starring Lindsay Duncan and Timothy Spall.)

So, are you ready to meet the family?

I waited eight years for this? It's disappointing to find such uninspired casting choices as Michael Gambon, playing Larry Appleton (though strangely renamed "Raymond" in this film) in an unassuming, uncharismatic and decidedly raw interpretation of the nervous Cousin Larry. One would expect our classic principals in a reunion film, but the one surprise twist was seeing Balki as a woman! Lindsay Duncan takes the wacky foreigner to a whole new level with her feminist spin on the classic character. Not for the purist, but any hardcore fan might well want to give Stephen Poliakoff's reinterpretation a hard look, taken, of course, with a grain of salt.