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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Awesome Adaptations (45) A Bit of a Do

Posted by Charlene // Tags: ,
This meme celebrates an awesome adaptation related to a weekly category. Any format of adaptation (television series, film, web series, etc.) is acceptable as long as it is based in some form on a book. This meme is hosted by Alisa Selene at PictureMeReading. Check out her site and join in on the fun!

An Awesome Adaptation of Your Choice
Title: A Bit of a Do
Adapted from: A Bit of a Do by David Nobbs

I still haven't read the book of this mini series, but that's not for want of trying! When I was in London I did try to find a copy but with no luck, so I'm going to have to buy it on the interwebs soon.  I'm looking forward to reading it because I found the TV series based on the book to be so moving, funny and thought-provoking.  But because David Nobbs is known for stories that thoughtfully and humorously dwell on the nature of life, I think this series must have captured the book perfectly.

There is a large cast of characters - two families, one well off financially and the other of a poorer class are linked through the marriage of their children, and the clash that comes of it - because many of these people are already unhappy and find it difficult to relate to each other - creates such a funny, character-driven comedy of awkward situations and misunderstandings.  And quite a lot of poignant drama.  Each episode of the series revolves around some sort of party or gathering (or "do" as they say in England), with each party/episode picking up where we left off in the lives of the characters from the previous "do".  What I so adore about this series is the way all the characters are thoughtfully and meaningfully developed.  There are clear, complex character arcs within this flexible structure of a series of do's where these characters have to interact.  And the humor comes from their reluctance, forced interest, and social awkwardness.  And the cast consists of a great number of fantastic English character actors who are all so perfectly believable in their roles.  They truly elevate this series with the quality of their acting.

I don't think this series is for everyone - it is rather "English" in humor and subtle and character-driven.  The interest is in investment and the development of the character's lives and not in action.  But if this sounds intriguing to you, I would recommend giving it a watch because it so well done!

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7 comments:

  1. I need to ask Aidan if he has seen this one! :) Is it on netflix?

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    1. No, I don't think so, at least it's not on for DVD, maybe for streaming? But I think you would really enjoy it and you know it has Michael Jayston... :D If Aidan's seen it I would like to know what he thought of it!

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    2. Oh yeah and Professor Lupin, David Thewlis, is in it as well! :)

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  2. This sounds interesting. I like English humor, though sometimes the subtly character driven plots of English TV can lose me -- but usually that's when it's a drama. I actually think I might've seen a few episodes of this show when I was living in Sydney.

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    1. Oh really, I hope you enjoyed what you saw of this! If you did, I think it's definitely worth revisiting! :) Sometimes subtle English TV can lose me too - but this one has lots of great fun characters so that helps.

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  3. This sounds really comical. The sound of awkward moments/situations/social gathering esque kind of thing, well, of course I'm up for it! XD

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    1. Oh good! It's really very funny, especially in that I-can't-believe-they-are-this-awkward! way. :)

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