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Didn't expect much, but after a couple of terrible movies in a row (Liam Neeson and son in the dire Made in Italy and another I actually went through in fast forward to see if it got better - it didn't) I thought I'd try something lighter, and this turned out to be a lot of fun. Ludicrous premise, endlessly silly scenarios..but, hey, it's meant to be funny and it was. Biggest surprise was Orlando Bloom, who I usually avoid, but he was hilarious in this and showed all his acting skills, ironically by playing the role of a wannabe actor who goes over the top with his method acting. He must have loved this role and the way it showcased a versatility few would know he had. Worth 100 minutes of your evening.

This is easily the best movie ever made about the Beatles. Correction; this is easily the best movie ever made about a Beatles. Correction; this is easily the best movie ever made about someone who becomes a Beatle. Clarification; this is easily the best movie ever made about John Lennon in his mid teens, and when he started playing music and met Paul and George. Further clarification; this movie has nothing to do with the Beatles, it's a beautifully told story about John Lennon's tormented and often sad but also mainly happy but also tragic childhood and explains much about his acerbic and torn personality. Saying all that, it's still the best Beatles movie ever made, even though it's not a Beatles movie. Anyone who has read anything about John Lennon and especially anyone who owns or has listened to his first proper solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, the most personal and powerful and sad and tormented album ever recorded, would or should know where this movie is coming from. The song 'Mother' comes up over the credits and if you've never heard it, YouTube it now and you'll understand.

I just loved this. Great cast, great performances, well shot, beautifully directed...and, strangely enough, at times very funny. Matthew Goode is terrific as the rude, blunt, unlikeable but still endearing Carl Merck, Alexej Manvelov is excellent as Akram Salim, and Mark Bonner and James Sives deliver their usual top level performances. The rest of the cast also excellent. Is it always believable? Probably not. But hey, it's a tv show, and I rate this one up there with Slow Horses. And now I'll just write some words so I can reach the minimum word count required here without talking about the plot.