Takes No Hostages
This is being re-run here in the UK prior to a second series later in the year. It didn't raise the controversy it was expected to though not for want of trying - it had the strongest language I've ever heard on a terrestrial channel and within a few minutes of the opening of the first episode you are seeing fairly explict underage gay sex.This perhaps gives an unfair view because it is funny, sad, has elements of soap, gives a stylish and modern view of present day life in the UK without being hostage to the heritage industry and in a British city that is not London (it is set in Manchester) and has an strong underlying theme of unrequited love.
Throughout, Stuart leers sexily at anything in trousers (save for the lesbians!), Vince picks up the pieces and gorgeous Nathan (Charlie Hunnam) wants his gay sexual awakening and he wants it now!
There's a cinematic in joke when Vince (Craig Kelly) apes a scen from 'Titanic' - he played the wirelss operator who sends the distress signals in that film.
There are some great lines too:
Stuart to passing friend: How's your partner? Friend: Still dead.
And when Vince Stuart and Nathan turn up at the hospital after Alfred's birth and the new mother takes one look at Nathan then Stuart and says 'I see we've both had a child tonight!'
This was made by an indepnedent production company for Channel Four and not by the 'British BBC' (sic as an earlier comment tautologically has it) - Auntie wouldn't have touched this with a bargepole.
Great soundtrack too - series is out on video and DVD and the soundtrack on CD.
If you like strong meat, gay or straight, you'll love this.
score /10
Britlaw 24 January 2000
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0623537/14287
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