Hancock and Joan

[mariocki]

Anyone watch the Hancock one tonight? I was otherwise engaged watching The Apprentice so I'm relying on the BBC i-Player for later viewing.

[batman]

Originally Posted by mariocki Anyone watch the Hancock one tonight? I was otherwise engaged watching The Apprentice so I'm relying on the BBC i-Player for later viewing.

It's on again at midnight tonight and is repeated later this week. I have taped it.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by mariocki Anyone watch the Hancock one tonight? I was otherwise engaged watching The Apprentice so I'm relying on the BBC i-Player for later viewing.

I saw it. It confirmed my opinion that Maxine Peake (playing Joan Le Meurier) is a great actress. The others were less convincing and the plot didn't add anything new to what is already well known by most people

The series as a whole does seem to be struggling hard to try and justify their "tears of a clown" premise that all comics and comic actors are really tragic figures. It failed dismally with the Steptoe one because in reality while Corbett and Brambell may not have been the best of friends they weren't the enemies portrayed.

Hancock always was a more tragic figure and the author of his own downfall, blaming all those around him. This one joined his life a bit too late, a lot was assumed and already in progress. It showed how Joan fell for the bad boy and tried to reform him (ladies, why do so many of you do that?) - but ultimately failed.

It didn't really tell me anything new about Hancock and it didn't show the man anywhere near as well as Alfred Molina did in 1991.

Steve

[rskershaw]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook I saw it. It confirmed my opinion that Maxine Peake (playing Joan Le Meurier) is a great actress. The others were less convincing and the plot didn't add anything new to what is already well known by most people The series as a whole does seem to be struggling hard to try and justify their "tears of a clown" premise that all comics and comic actors are really tragic figures. It failed dismally with the Steptoe one because in reality while Corbett and Brambell may not have been the best of friends they weren't the enemies portrayed. Hancock always was a more tragic figure and the author of his own downfall, blaming all those around him. This one joined his life a bit too late, a lot was assumed and already in progress. It showed how Joan fell for the bad boy and tried to reform him (ladies, why do so many of you do that?) - but ultimately failed. It didn't really tell me anything new about Hancock and it didn't show the man anywhere near as well as Alfred Molina did in 1991. Steve

I wasn't convinced by this drama, particularly by its suggeston that a few missed telephone calls were one of the reasons that Hancock topped himself.

[rskershaw]

Hancock

The actor playing J le M reminded me more of Prince Charles, but now it's dawned on me that it might have been the same actor who played HRH in The Queen.

Excuse ignorance.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by rskershaw Hancock The actor playing J le M reminded me more of Prince Charles, but now it's dawned on me that it might have been the same actor who played HRH in The Queen. Excuse ignorance.

It was. Alex Jennings played Prince Charles in The Queen

Steve

[BillTurner80]

A few missed telephone calls and a lingering shot of a newspaper item: 'Postal strike . . . ' etc etc. Yes I thought that too.

[samkydd]

Originally Posted by rskershaw I wasn't convinced by this drama, particularly by its suggeston that a few missed telephone calls were one of the reasons that Hancock topped himself.

I switched off after ten minutes. Ken Stott was dreadful, and apart from anything else Hancock was supposedly in his late 30s and Stott looks like he's in his mid 60s.

[Windthrop]

Originally Posted by samkydd I switched off after ten minutes. Ken Stott was dreadful, and apart from anything else Hancock was supposedly in his late 30s and Stott looks like he's in his mid 60s.

It is difficult to get a close physical match - the BBC did a play about Hancock in the early 80s and the actor there looked very similar. In truth it doesn't matter I think because it is about capturing certain dramtic truths about the person and this I think Stott did. I must admit to being a fan of Stott (have just seen him on stage in God of Carnage on the west end in the new Yasmin Reza play). You must remember that Hancock was always prematurely aged, particularly in the last 5 years of his life. IMHO he caught the tormented man who could be wonderful company sober and awful when drunk but could still inspire loyalty in people.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by samkydd I switched off after ten minutes. Ken Stott was dreadful, and apart from anything else Hancock was supposedly in his late 30s and Stott looks like he's in his mid 60s.

Hancock was 44 when he died. But 44 in a chronic alcoholic can look like 60 in anyone else.

Steve

[samkydd]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Hancock was 44 when he died. But 44 in a chronic alcoholic can look like 60 in anyone else. Steve

I just don't rate Ken Stott I'm afraid. He's from the Shouting School of Acting and can only play Ken Stott! Alfred Molina's portrayal of Hancock in the early 90s brought out the subject's many character traits quite well.

[faginsgirl]

I cant STAND Ken Stott as I have said before on this site. I couldn`t believe his portrayal of Adolf Hitler, I mean, WHY Ken Stott in that role?

I dont know a lot about John Le Mesurier I admit although I imagine to be quite a laid back man, but THAT laid back? I may be wrong.

I agree this series so far just doesnt`t have IT, not for me anyway.

Next week its the Hughie Green and the Paula Yates scandle. Maybe I`ll watch but maybe not.

Hope all are well.

Fagins girl xx

[batman]

I agree that it didn't tell us anything that wasn't already known, but I thought it was a superb drama. Ken Stott and Maxine Peake were magnificent and it captured the despair of the whole miserable situation perfectly. Top marks to all concerned.

[smudge]

Originally Posted by faginsgirl I dont know a lot about John Le Mesurier I admit although I imagine to be quite a laid back man, but THAT laid back? I may be wrong. I

You should read Andy Merriman's biog of Hattie Jacques for some very good insights into John Le Mes...


Smudge

[faginsgirl]

Thanks Smudge! I saw a documentary about Hattie once, Le Mes adored her by all accounts! Apparently a lot of men did.