The Go Between

[wideboy26]

Did anybody watch this? It's a good few years since I watched the film so my memory might be inaccurate, but I thought this production told the story far better than the film. And I thought Lesley Manville was excellent as the domineering mother. Definitely a flavour of Maggie Smith in Downton.

[BagelwithButter]

I can't really remember the book (or previous films either), it's been many years...

I enjoyed it too, I thought Lesley Manville was very good. Realised that the brother played his character well, bit of a dunce, trying to smooth things over, domineered by the mother etc.

It's a slight story really, but it was done well. The young boy was played very nicely, I thought.

[JimmyGreavesMoustache]

the book is one of my real favourites, so I wasn't sure whether to watch in case they ruined it (haven't seen the Julie Christie film either).

so much in the book comes from Leo's nostalgic reflections on his own innocence , and I'm not sure how easy it would be to get this across on screen

I may yet have a watch on iplayer...

[Gaelforce]

I loved it- the camerawork, the hazy shots, young Leo was superb.
I am being picky but my only niggle was Vanessa Redgrave at the end. I thought she was too effusive. I thought it was a great production.

[BikeRunSki]

I loved it, and I love Jim Broadbent - is reminds me so much of my grandfather.

I read the book in my late teens, but haven't seen any other screen adaptations. I enjoyed this one though, and thought that the boy who played young Leo was excellent. I seem to remember the book being raunchier though.

[wideboy26]

^clutches pearls^ Yes, well I think it was best that we were spared any raunchy filth...

[BobandKate0]

Didn't think it added much more compared to the film version,one wonders why they bothered.Lesley Manville acted everyone off the screen but not hard to do,didn't feel there was any chemisty betweeen marion and ted.
Lots of overblown music as per usual.
Leo's green jacket looked badly tailored,or was it supposed too as a sleight against his class,probaldy shows that the story was not engrossing enough when one starts noticing the wallpaper.

[IndridCold]

One of my favourite writers I have read the book many times. I nearly didn't watch it as I loved the Julie Christie film so much, but I thought it was really well done and I enjoyed it.

They changed a few things and put a slightly different emphasis on the understanding/complexities of the main characters, but I think it all worked well. If it makes some people want to go off and read the book, then there is a lot more for them to get out of it.

[5Foot5]

I thought it went rather well. The little boy who played Leo was very good IMO

[diddl]

I thought that it wasn't a patch on the film-the fantastic music was so evocative in that though.

I found Leo really irritating-his expressions.

[SexNamesRFab]

I was really shocked at the ending, ted just didn't seem the type.

[diddl]

type to do what?

they were so selfish though. Ted going on about not getting the letters would make Marion cry.

Marion raging about them having taken him in and how ungrateful he was.

Jeez, he was supposed to be there as a guest!

And I'm not sure how obvious it was, but she'd bought him a bike for his birthday-to make taking the letters easier!

[Tinfoiled]

I enjoyed it but unfortunately the young Leo reminded me strongly of Father Dougal from Father Ted!

[diddl]

[SexNamesRFab]

To top himself. He was quite calm all the say through then suddenly does that. Good point about the bike.

[hackmum]

Coming rather late to this - I videoed it and only watched it yesterday. I was really disappointed. It just all seemed so hackneyed, exactly like every other period drama. The obligatory shot of a bare-chested hunk. Lots of meaningful glances. Music and slow motion to heighten the drama and disguise the fact that they can't convey what's going on through, you know, acting.

I agree about the lack of chemistry between Marion and Ted. The fact that he was called Ted kept putting me in mind of The Fast Show's Ralph and Ted (though in fairness they may have stolen the name from The Go-Betwen).

I remember enjoying the book though it must be at least 25 years or so since I read it. One of the things I didn't understand in the tv adaptation was why Leo was suddenly necessary to convey messages between them - how were they managing before he turned up?