myrndra

I agree with the gentleman above, that future Rebus films, if there are any more, should be based on short stories or written fresh. There is no writer besides Rankin himself, or maybe Jimmy McGovern, with the talent to do justice to the layered plots and characterisations of Rankin's creations.

Ken Stott is all right as Rebus, rumpled and grumpy, but we're still watching Ken Stott. I think they need to cast a Scottish unknown if they do a future series.

The biggest disappointment has been the actress who plays Siobhan Clarke. Whining, whingeing, don't do this, how could you do that... you almost expect Rebus to cry, 'What are you, my mother???' Siobhan in the books was really cool, a Hibs supporter and a well-rounded female character. Here she is just a two-dimensional nag.

I know that films are seldom as satisfying as books because they are different media; but it is so disappointing to watch a crime drama that could have been so much better had the production people, writer and director got their thumbs out and tried a little harder.

This is one of the worst films on a famous person's childhood I have ever had the misfortune to watch: saccharine, vague, wooden performances all round but especially wooden is McArdle, a butch kewpie doll who is badly miscast in the lead. And her singing! Nothing like the nuance and subtleness of Garland's, just a strident noise to chill the blood. Blessed are the inventors of the remote, which meant I could mute the sound from the comfort of my sofa every time McArdle opened her mouth.

The thing I don't get is why child labour is frowned upon in every arena except that of entertainment, and the obscenity that is the Child Star. If you really want to know about Judy Garland's childhood, don't bother with this garbage, read Gerald Clarke's GET HAPPY: THE LIFE OF JUDY GARLAND. As a book it's fascinating, well-researched, and blessedly *silent*.