Comments on: Recap: Benedict Cumberbatch & Rebecca Hall Shine In First Part Of Period Miniseries ‘Parade’s End’

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

I love Rebecca Hall but there's something unnatural to her Sylvia. I don't know, it just feels inauthentic. My stand-out for the episode was Rufus Sewell. The breakfast scene was hilarious!

And I have to give a huge amount of props to Cumberbatch because if his character is played by another actor I am sure Christopher will come across as wooden. (Like, you know… Eddie Redmayne in Birdsong). The guy knows how to show repressed emotion. Great casting!

By: Eoin Daly

Eoin Daly — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

Really you gave this first part an A- grade. I watched it too and thought that it was ok andwould probably give it a B grade. The story seemed to move to fas for me and even though I liked Cumberbatch, I had a hard time watching Hall as I think she is sort of miscast. In no way are these two actors doing their finest work in their career (Cumberbatch "Sherlock", Hall "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"). I thought Clemens came out as a very strong character like Cumberbatch did and they had some great chemistry together. I shall see how the next four weeks turn out but the supporting cast like McTeer look to make more of an impression. I guess the biggest problem I had was the editing by Kristina Hetherington & Jason Krasucki was toop quick and turned me off. The direction by White and writing by Stoppard was very good probably the best thing about the first episode. I cannot wait till next week where it looks like war will play a bigger part which ofcourse will get me to watch,

Episode Grade: Episode #1: B (MVP: Benedict Cumberbatch)

By: holly

holly — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

Please do some research Cumberbatch has already done a TV interview where he denies the downton comments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH4VFNbPXmE&feature=share&list=PLF368EE0B28F3FA34

By: madoxfordfan

madoxfordfan — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

The series has a refreshing and people who like being spoon fed will struggle but I simply adored it. Cumberbatch is phenomenal.

By: I seriously hope you guys ross douthat

I seriously hope you guys ross douthat — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

Stoppard isn't really right-wing, it's more that in his 1970s heyday a lot of British theatre types were on the far left. He's a liberal, and for quite understandable reasons — check his background — has no time for Communists. Whether he sympathizes fully with Cumberbatch's character on that score I don't know — I doubt it, but it's a story that allows for nuance and mixed sympathies.

I liked almost everything about this episode but felt the opening scenes were a bit confusing. We didn't really need the flashbacks to their first meeting and I missed why they were getting married in Paris? Moreover when they were in the carriages I thought it was London. But that is all quibbles. The night-time carriage ride was terrific, and so was Stephen Graham.

Obviously so was BC. Rebecca Hall has an incredibly hard-to-like (but not too hard to look at — may as well get it out there) character but I guess she does a good job doing that.

By: Betsy

Betsy — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

I adored the first episode and couldnt find fault with it at all. Stoppard is making us work hard but the books are classics and deserve to be treated with respect. I am in awe at Cumberbatch. I've never been so impressed by an actor. There's nothing he cant do. I loved his chemistry with Adelaide Clemens. They were very sexy together.

By: bpic

bpic — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

Playlist, please stop overrating Rebecca Hall ( yes she was good in Vicky Cristina Barcelona). She has some talent, but she is incredibly boring . She never lights up a movie screen or a tv screen. Now , I agree Cumberbatch is brilliant. I would watch that guy read a phone book.

By: Keren (pronounced: Karen)

Keren (pronounced: Karen) — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

First of all, I know this will be a huge success because the incredible Benedict Cumberbatch is there. (I usually have that additude on things. I say, "ermm.. It's not amazing because ben isn't in there" haha) And I really can't wait to watch because I live in America. Do you know when we will get to watch it? Benedict is beyond talented. He brings life to each and everyone of his characters. He gives feeling to them. He is brilliant, adorable, kind and above all Perfect!
Everyone aggress say "I".

By: behati

behati — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

@ BPIC – I agree with you 100% but to Rebecca Hall's credit she did do a good job with Parade's End. Having said that, I've never thought much of her as an actress and still dont. Yes, she has done some good stuff but the parts that she's usually cast in, she comes across as really one dimensional….they're all moody, miserable type characters, she doesn't seem to know how to play any other type of character. But hey, each to their own…I just happen to think she's overrated.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

Just saw this, and then immediately watched again. A wonderful production with talented, inspired performances. I thoroughly enjoyed it. May just have to read the novels, now.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

Goddamn! Downton Abbey is fine but the acting in Parade's End is just… I can't coherently explain it. Hall and Cumberbatch are ace! And don't you guys think Valentine looks like Carrey Mulligan/ Michelle William? It's freaking me out.

By: Lizzie

Lizzie — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

I thought Rebecca Hall was amazing and the best thing in Parade's end. such an underrated actress.

By: Cori

Cori — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

I have finally realized why Hall didn't work here. For me, anyways. She's like Cumberbatch in a sense, you know, they look intelligent that's why they usually play intelligent and sophisticated characters. Sylvia is neither sophisticated nor intelligent. She's a shallow wh**e. Totally miscast.

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

A correction: Dirk Brosse did NOT compose the music in Neil Jordan's "The Good Thief", merely conducted. I think you'll find the composer there was Elliot Rosenthal (a frequent Michael Mann and Neil Jordan collaborator), who is infinitely more talented.

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

Rebecca Hall was fantastic.

By: Borj

Borj — Fri, 13 May 2016 11:41:11 +0000

In the hands of a lesser actor the character of Tietjens could have remained a one-dimensional figure. Repressed emotions don't translate well on-screen, they just come across as wooden. And I am thanking the genius that is Cumberbatch and the little twitches he does with his face for bringing one of my literary heroes to life.