Author Topic: The Night Manager (Read 8986 times)

Legs · « **on:** 22 February, 2016, 10:19:38 am »

Tense. Loki is wonderfully reserved, and ~~Bertie Wooster~~ ~~The Prince Regent~~ Dr House is, from what we've seen, suitably menacing. Looking forward to next weekend's instalment.

Vince · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 February, 2016, 12:05:04 pm »

I enjoyed it. Quality drama seems to be a rare thing on the Beeb these days.

TimC · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 February, 2016, 12:06:22 pm »

Yep. Liked that.

mattc · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 February, 2016, 12:41:27 pm »

Just brilliant. Hiddlestone's lines in particular were superb. Loved the way he deflected all the nasty comments from guests, and potentially tricky questions, each with the same aplomb. I almost hope there isn't too much action in later eps.

Laurie was a bit underwhelming, but his part may develop.

Even ~~ole jug ears~~ Russell Tovey was pretty bearable.

And great to see Hollander allowed to play a loathsome character again (he was great in Hanna!)

Legs · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 February, 2016, 12:45:07 pm »

Yes, I love Tom Hollander's sneery voice. He managed to bring out some of the less holy aspects of his character in the sadly-no-more Rev, and was brilliant in this. I hope that we get more of his character.

(He also voiced-over the Real Marigold Hotel series, recently finished but still on iPlayer, which is well worth watching.)

Tim Hall · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 February, 2016, 01:34:15 pm »

I've just finished re-reading Le Carre's book on which this is based, so I was interested to see what the Beeb would make of it. Less complicated than the book, moved in time and moved to Zermatt, but very good.

A spot of googling brought me to an article in the Indie, by Jack Shepherd (not the Wycliffe bloke), talking to Le Carre, with the sub heading "Why not write your own bl**dy novel? With all those changes, what’s left of mine?", which at first sight leads you to think Le Carre didn't like the adaptation. However, the full text from the article is:

Quote

The BBC adaptation will also have a female protagonist instead of male: “To all of which, a lesser being such as myself might reasonably have responded: why not write your own bl**dy novel? With all those changes, what’s left of mine?

His verdict? “And the answer, surprisingly, is: a great deal is left, more than I dared hope.”

So he likes it too. Sub editors, eh?

Mind you, Jeds, in my head, is a whole lot sexier than Elizabeth Debicki.

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 February, 2016, 09:38:29 pm »

I liked it. Every time I see Tom Hollander my brain just says " difficult, difficult, lemon difficult"

ElyDave · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 February, 2016, 10:20:34 pm »

I must admit I prefer Le Carre's cold war stuff - A Perfect Spy, Tinker Tailor etc - to the more modern stuff. I think they were better characterised vs stuff like The Perfect Gardner etc, as decent bit of TV drama I liked this, but haven't read the book yet.

I prefer the original Bond novels as well, although Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig both bring a bit of Fleming's grittiness/nastiness to the role.

hellymedic · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 February, 2016, 01:23:33 am »

I really ought to see this somehow, even though I don't have a TV.
Susanne Bier is my first cousin and her Dad is Facebooking about it...

Steph · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 February, 2016, 02:10:16 am »

I read that as "The Night Porter"...

rafletcher · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 February, 2016, 01:55:40 pm »

Quote from: hellymedic on 23 February, 2016, 01:23:33 am

I really ought to see this somehow, even though I don't have a TV.
Susanne Bier is my first cousin and her Dad is Facebooking about it...

'tis what iPlayer is for

T42 · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 February, 2016, 02:24:47 pm »

TNM is where I learnt to do the brûlé bit of a crème brûlée. Thank you Mr. Le Carré.

Haven't tried fizzy drinks via the nose, though.

LEE · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 February, 2016, 02:45:02 pm »

Quote from: Legs on 22 February, 2016, 12:45:07 pm

Yes, I love Tom Hollander's sneery voice. He managed to bring out some of the less holy aspects of his character in the sadly-no-more Rev, and was brilliant in this. I hope that we get more of his character.

He was actually channelling "The Fucker" (the Tory Party strategist in "The Thick of It").

Overall though it was as tense as a tense thing. Hugh Laurie was very menacing.

mattc · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 March, 2016, 06:44:43 pm »

Ep2 equally good.

perpetual dan · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 March, 2016, 08:57:25 pm »

Quote from: mattc on 01 March, 2016, 06:44:43 pm

Ep2 equally good.

Great ... just need a night in with Mrs Dan in order to watch it now!

Tim Hall · « **Reply #15 on:** 01 March, 2016, 11:43:17 pm »

Quote from: mattc on 01 March, 2016, 06:44:43 pm

Ep2 equally good.

Oh yes. Tom Hollander just dripping with threats. And Rocky working for River House.

Andrew · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 March, 2016, 09:19:59 am »

Not a fan. Though, tbh, I only gave it maybe 40 minutes tops. I couldn't take more.

I found it predictable and somewhat shallow thriller nonsense. I particularly disliked the 'shagged and despatched' treatment of the gangster's mole; that's 2p crime novel stuff. Hugh Laurie is a cartoon character just missing the comedy moustache to twirl.

mattc · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 March, 2016, 10:17:45 am »

It's still brilliant!

each episode has been consistently gripping.

Hiddlestone keeps failing to put a step out of place. Great performance

(Laurie is far from the best thing in it, but the character fits his limited acting skills quite well.)

PaulF · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 March, 2016, 10:29:15 am »

Apparently there's to be a second series according to Mrs F

Karla · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 March, 2016, 10:46:37 am »

Really? It's based on a book which doesn't have a sequel, so that seems unlikely.

PaulF · « **Reply #20 on:** 15 March, 2016, 11:20:11 am »

I know, but they're taking the characters forward. Apparently the Le Carre sons are part of the production company

More info here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/12183832/BBC-set-to-order-second-series-of-John-Le-Carres-The-Night-Manager.html

TimC · « **Reply #21 on:** 18 March, 2016, 02:13:49 pm »

I really like it. It may be beach-novel predictable, and the characters are classic spy-story fodder, but it's well told and entertaining. It's not a documentary or a metaphor for real life; it's throwaway fiction. Happy with that.

ElyDave · « **Reply #22 on:** 18 March, 2016, 04:33:51 pm »

Watching this might get the other half interested in Le Carre finally, I keep offering a couple of his less Cold War thrillers, more social commentary/evil corporations/industrial espionage types, but she's not hooked yet.

She's been asking when it's on.

madcow · « **Reply #23 on:** 21 March, 2016, 03:08:35 pm »

Just watched ep 2 after recording on Sky box so thanks to all for not spoiling it.

Little Jim · « **Reply #24 on:** 21 March, 2016, 03:18:34 pm »

Quote from: PaulF on 15 March, 2016, 11:20:11 am

I know, but they're taking the characters forward. Apparently the Le Carre sons are part of the production company

More info here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/12183832/BBC-set-to-order-second-series-of-John-Le-Carres-The-Night-Manager.html

...and according to the Guardian review of last week's episode John Le C himself made a cameo appearance in the restaurant scene.

I've really enjoyed it so far but...

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Author Topic: The Night Manager (Read 8986 times)

Andrew