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After Life - Netflix - Ricky Gervais

119 replies

RageAgainstTheVendingMachine · 09/03/2019 15:08

Am finding it very well written and a departure from other things he's done. Have laughed out loud a few times. Very clever way of writing something moving without being cloying.
Anyone else watching?

OP posts:
The80sweregreat · 12/03/2019 16:43

Kudos to Ashley ( which I read about on this thread, I had no idea)
It had some very dark moments.

Coffeebean76 · 12/03/2019 18:32

Thought it was excellent - really authentic with a heart. Ricky Gervais shows the depth of his acting skills - there were some moments when his eyes said it all (soft when he looked at the video of how wife, full of tenderness when he had a ‘moment’ with his dad.’

Loved it.... wished it was longer though. All the supporting characters were very well drawn out too

ComeOnGordon · 12/03/2019 18:39

One of the best things I’ve watched in years and I’m another one who isn’t the biggest fan of Ricky Gervais (hated the Office).

It was just a perfect combination of sad, funny and heartwarming. Loved the chats on the bench and the bits with his father.

And it’s the first prog to make me laugh out loud in a long time

Supersimpkin · 12/03/2019 18:50

Binged it uncontrollably, like you do on an Easter egg come early, an expensive one.

Screamed with laffs when Tony brandishes the hammer at the foul little schoolyard bully.

Joe Wilkinson wasn't used enough. Tim Plester, the junkie, was soul-crackingly sad. Brian the hoarder was created by a genius.

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 12/03/2019 22:00

a bit obvious and heavy handed, this is the funny bit, this is the sad bit, this is the message behind it all. Meh

I'm so glad it's not just me! Reading this thread I was starting to feel like I'd been watching a completely different programme to everyone else.

I'm only three episodes in and I will persevere with it, but so far it just seems like trope, after trope, after trope- the prostitute with a heart of gold, the kind but straight-talking Nurse who puts him in his place, a character who exists only to be the butt of the writers extensive collection of fat jokes, the Boss who's too 'nice', the local oddball...it just all seems very formulaic.

Lottapianos · 12/03/2019 22:17

'a bit obvious and heavy handed'

Typical Ricky Gervais then! I agree. I'm only a couple of episodes in, and there have been a few funny moments, but I find it quite clunky overall

Izzy24 · 12/03/2019 22:23

I’m not sure that I can say I enjoyed this, but it was certainly worth watching and I’m glad I did.

I think the feelings of anger, hatred, desolation, pointlessness and loss were drawn so accurately.

And the brother-in-law reminded me of a good man that I know in real life
and I think his outburst in the final episode was realistic and moving.

And I have always believed that kindness is the important thing.

Ragnarthe · 13/03/2019 12:43

I really enjoyed it, made me cry when Sandy said "Don't be sad"
Actually when he put the picture of Kevin Hart in the snow globe got to me too.
Also I think I am in love with Tom Basden (the brother in law)

WhiteDust · 13/03/2019 14:24

I wailed when Ann said 'You're in pain' to Tony & stroked his cheek.
The look on Tony's face was heartbreaking.

Shawfield · 13/03/2019 22:51

The town scenes are Hemel Hempstead old town where I grew up. My mum used to work in what was Top Rank televisions, 3 doors down from the cafe shown in the series. Also the council houses where 5 birthday card guy lives, is typical of Hemel Hempstead new town where we lived from 1956 until 1967. Nice memories.

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RageAgainstTheVendingMachine · 14/03/2019 00:28

Ah thank you, I wondered where it was filmed.
I read an article about a baby supposedly looking like Agnes from Despicable me today! It really doesn't aside from having a head and them doing a ponytail.
It reminded me of the baby Hitler scene.
www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6803183/Parents-stopped-street-hairy-babys-resemblance-Despicable-Mes-Agnes.html

OP posts:
darksideofthemooncup · 14/03/2019 22:23

Shaw field is that really Hemel? It looks so pretty!! I used to work in the town centre and it was an absolute hole Grin

Rumbletum2 · 15/03/2019 01:44

I binge watched this when it first came out and again today with DH.

Absolutely love it.

Various random thoughts....

Ricky Gervais is a genius at these types of show. He is also an incredibly good actor.

Fancied Tom Basden in Life on the Road and even more now.

David Earl (Brian Gittins/Kev in Derek) is also an amazing actor.

Penelope Wilton is good in everything.

Kerry Godliman is wonderful. So warm and natural. Ditto Ashley Jensen.

Actually loved everyone in it.

VimFuego101 · 15/03/2019 01:51

The Hemel scenes are the 'old town' part of Hemel, not the high street that most people go to in Hemel. I knew I recognized it so googled to find out where it was filmed. Google said the beach was camber sands, for whoever asked up-thread.

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 15/03/2019 11:16

I struggled with the scenes between RG and the therapist. I didn't find him funny and don't think it added anything or than to perpetuate a lot of unhelpful misconceptions that potentially put people off seeking help.

The scenes between RG and Penelope Wilton stood out imo. She was excellent.

The80sweregreat · 15/03/2019 11:31

Fleabag has a horrible therapist as well!
The ones that work in that field and are good must hate the way they are portrayed in tv at times!

Lovestonap · 15/03/2019 11:36

Yes, tv therapists tend to be there to show the profession as money-grabbing and useless.
In reality grief counselling can be incredibly helpful and healing.
I genuinely can't imagine a real therapist checking their emails etc in front of a client. So that bit jarred with me and on rewatching I've been skipping over those scenes.

exWifebeginsat40 · 15/03/2019 11:52

i ugly cried so hard at the end of the series. we watched the whole thing the other night.

i lost my dad to dementia last year. the scenes with Tony and his Dad were so beautifully written, and so heartbreaking.

(but, i hated the Julian storyline. hated it)

highly recommended, but very emotional.

Weirdlookingbricks · 15/03/2019 22:20

Loved it. Except for the preachiness in the last episode.

Weirdlookingbricks · 15/03/2019 22:22

I get the therapist thing though. It's exaggerated. But I've been a bit Hmm at a few things mine has said. She'd get her arse handed to her on Relationships.

ASauvignonADay · 15/03/2019 22:38

I'm loving it. On episode 4. Funny but also touching. I've had a bit of a 'wobble' this week but have found this comforting.

WheelyCote · 15/03/2019 22:45

Loved loved this program

Since2016 · 15/03/2019 22:52

Watched this with DH - we were howling. I bloody loved it. V British, very Gervais and excellently done.

Calzone · 17/03/2019 01:04

Oh I loved this so much.

I love RG.

It must have been so hard for Ashley Jenson to have made this after her husbands suicide.....I love that they work together so much and was pleased she went for a drink with him.

BaconAndAvocado · 17/03/2019 18:04

LOVED this series! Me and DH were bawling our eyes out and then guffawing like lunatics.