Truly Dreadful Film

one of my absolute favorites!

A lot of fun.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It's now 2015 and "As If" has appeared in New Zealand for the first time (as best as I'm aware) - not on broadcast TV but via our Lightbox on-line TV streaming service.I had never heard of the show before but was looking for something interesting within the roughly 100 on offer, and the shows are ordered alphabetically. If the show's name did not start with "A" I would have not found it for weeks or months, if ever.Sampling the first episode (and knowing that I had a lot of other choices) I almost stopped it within the first minute due to being irritated by the loud soundtrack, jumpy shots and rapid edits. However, I thought I would give it a whirl after being instantly attracted to the demure and less-conventional Sooz character, and it didn't take long before I had zipped through the first season. I generally like the low-budget UK TV shows, the characters are real people, with skin flaws, tea-stained teeth, and less than perfect self-confidence - normal attributes that Hollywood seems incapable of leaving intact. Having lived in the UK for a few years (and having ancestral roots) I also feel some empathy with the culture, and having lived in the US for three decades, a growing weariness for theirs.A few of the other reviewers here have analysed the show's framework much better than I could but I would agree that the editing technique with time-shifted scenes and flashbacks works effectively once you get used to it and makes the show stand out.I'm almost through the second season and to me the Sooz and Jamie relationship is the highlight as it starts from a solid friendship (which initially includes Alex) and is evolved gently over many episodes. There is a connection between the two characters that is not as well developed between the other pairings. The milestone episodes that focus entirely on them are beautifully crafted and some scenes can leave a few tears. Perhaps I can't personally relate as well to the on/off relationships of Sasha, Nikki, Rob and certainly Alex, but it appears to me that those are in place to provide a backdrop and context to Sooz and Jamie, and both those actors incidentally do a stellar job.I was a bit surprised when I discovered how old the show is. Only the funky cell phones and lack of any digital cameras give it away. Everything else is just as valid today as it was 14 years ago. Why this show appears now - here - I don't know. Lightbox has other old, classic shows but this one has never played here before and would have no following.If nothing else New Zealand culture is more similar to UK culture than any other, including Australian, so the show is well-placed in our market. We have all 76 episodes available which are divided into 3 seasons (instead of 4.)This show is a gem and I'm glad I stumbled on it.

i love the show unfortunitly it has not been shown on tv for a while so im hoping it will come back soon and show all the repeats.Although the show is a few years old its still the best thing on tv and is still modern.I hope more show like it will come out, its the only teen drama around.

"As if" is really a great show with good characters. I would call it England's answer to "Dawson's Creek"!! I especially like the characters Sooz, Alex and Jamie. I don't think the characters of Nicki, Sasha and Rob are lifelike... Anyway, the show is great, and I really love. My advice to everyone: Watch it!:)

For the first time, I have been able to watch a British 'teen' drama and not only can I believe in the characters being portrayed, but I can almost see myself being mates with them. Well, most of them. Nicki is a little too much of a superficial cow to be a friend of mine, (excellently acted by Jemima Rooper, by the way). Everything about the group is spot-on. Fashion (and individuality), friendly banter and colloquialisms, inter-group relationships, all seem natural and well thought out.My particular favourite is Sooz. I totally identify with her unrequited love for Rob, the loneliness she feels, and the rejection felt by not having a boyfriend. Also, the way her overwhelming physical individuality thinly hides her emotional vulnerability. Emily Corrie is perfect.The production team are not afraid to tackle important issues without making the plots completely 'out-there'. Normality without the mundane boredom of, well...normal life. This coming series will give the audience time to get deeper into the character's lives but hopefully it will remain as light-hearted and fun to watch as the first series. 'As If' is definitely in a class of it's own.