Don't Believe the Hype

Admirable film.

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Roger & Val Have Just Got In was created by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne and stars Alfred Molina and Dawn French.This series is about the lives of botanist Roger Stephenson(Alfred Molina)and his cookery teacher wife Val(Dawn French). Molina and French are the only actors in the series and this allows the series to focus completely on their relationship and characters. The episodes usually begin at the end of the day with the couple returning home from work, having dinner and talking about their day and doing things around the house.The amazing thing about these characters is that they seem real, the pair do and say things that we can all relate to, including complaining about work colleagues, sharing jokes, bickering and helping each other through the tough times. We also learn that they suffered a great tragedy when they were younger and from time to time this is something which casts a shadow over a happy occasion, causing them heartache all these years later.French has always been a gifted comic but this series allows her to prove herself a good dramatic actress too. Molina is excellent as usual and shows that he can move easily between comedy and sadness. Molina and French have amazing chemistry and make their characters believable and they are the main reason that you find yourself keep wanting to watch this couples everyday routine.This series isn't just a comedy but a good emotional drama too. If you're looking for laughs you'll find them but you'll also find a good drama with some moments that will have you reaching for the tissues. It's a shame that there doesn't appear to be another season being made because this is a series that could have gone on for much longer than it did.

Imagine a series about which the central premise is the death of a child. One that regularly makes you laugh out loud and sob like a baby. This series reaches the heights of comedy, drama, and tragedy like no other.If you've seen The Vicar of Dibley and Spiderman II you know how utterly cheap Molina and French can be. Here you see two actors at the top of their field. Beyond good and...funny.If they gave Oscars for foreign television shows this would have won one for each season. I challenge any human to see the finale of season two without crying in joy for a good few minutes. Go ahead, I dare you.

For me, this is the best Zbritish sitcom in years, unusually it's not aimed at 23 year old refusing to grow up (like almost everything on bbbc3) but at people with lives, loves, responsibilities, flaws, histories , dreams etc. What really stands out is the love between the principle characters. Despite or because of life's challenges, their warmth towards each other is uplifting...and no mean acting feat either! Alfred Molina is used to delivering in Hollywood these days, but this is the best character he's had for years, the most rounded and grounded. Dawn is as ever, real and sharp, funny and silly by turn. Lets hope there's a Season3.

Contrary to the review made by rduddridge I can honestly say that is one of the finest comedies ever to grace British television, and by 'finest' I also mean with regards to the delicately subtle attention to detail throughout. Human behaviour is difficult enough to nail down in one person, let alone in the dynamic and complex boundaries of a loving marriage, yet Roger & Val convinces us straight away that these two people have known each other for a very long time. Having watched both series (so far just the two) I would say that the first slightly betters the second mainly because of the slow reveal and revelation that became more apparent as the series went on, though, again, this was handled so cleverly and subtly that it genuinely creeped up on me. Aside from that both series maintained a consistently intriguing insight into this couple's lives. Dawn French has finally found the space to flex her real acting muscles, having been hidden beneath her masterful comedy work for so long, and Alfred Molina has been given this opportunity to explode, albeit quietly, into the world of TV comedy with his spot-on timing. A gem, and one of my new favourite comedies.