The Singapore Grip

I have read reviews of this production with increasing dismay. I accept views of the quality of the acting whether or not I agree with them. I don't object if anyone finds the script writer's dialogue unappealing whether or not I agree with them. I find the level of sanctimonious, self righteous and woke criticism of the story, the content and the author depressing and wholly predictable in today's climate. This is a novel, and yes it is a single self contained book so I don't think anyone is angling for a "second series" God help us. It is part of J.G. Farrell's anti colonial trilogy. The characters are awful - they are meant to be. You are not meant to like them. What the production fails to convey is the subtle, wonderful all pervasive disgust that Matthew and the author felt about the damage of colonialism. I want to suggest people actually read the book but I expect many won't bother and some would find it too challenging.

The book was satire. This interpretation gets it at times, but misses by a mile at others. This inconsistency exacerbates the overall enjoyment by frustrating the viewer. Could have been a great series, but isn't.

I don't know what genre this series is supposed to be. It could be satire but not really black enough for that. Historical genre it has some of that yet if it is even a little true then no wonder the British fell in Singapore. This does not have much going for it at all.

Sumptuous settings. Faithfully re-created period and place.

But the storyline is not that interesting. The acting is wooden. No chemistry between the characters. Nothing to make you warm to or feel strongly about any of them.

Reminds me of "Indian Summers" - great potential but a disappointment and, in the end, rather dull and uninspiring. Style over substance and talent.

Compare this to classics like Tenko!

Commenting on the television drama show. The drama is very faithful to the book. Everyone comes across as a bit pathetic - it is a satire. The main characters are white and British and live in Singapore in the 1940s. Yes, Chinese and British did not mix freely back then and the show makes that reality very clear. If you don't like that perspective the show is not for you. The show is filmed as it would have been filmed in the 1980s. That feels a bit dated, but I like the story. Shows how incompetent the Brits were in defending Singapore and how ruthless a trading company could be towards small landholders. Again, if that is not your cup of tea, the show is not for you