On TV: Sunday 4th September 2011
Channel: ITV1 9pm (65 minute duration)
Episode Type: First episode in new two-part drama
In 1 Sentence: A riveting, dark drama with rave reviews
ITV Summary: Appropriate Adult tells the extraordinary story of Gloucester housewife Janet Leach who played a key role in the uncovering of the crimes of Fred and Rosemary West.
This factual drama centres on the period of time between Fred West's arrest, his suicide in 1995 and the conviction of Rosemary West, and how Fred confided in Janet Leach who took the role of the 'appropriate adult' during his police interviews.
No Trailer available
My Review: Emily Watson is the Appropriate Adult to Fred West, a charming serial killer played by the fantastic Dominic West (The Hour, The Wire). The performances are extraordinary and with whispers of BAFTAs they’d be well deserved: either for Watson portraying Gloucester housewife Janet Leach, a double Oscar nominated actress already (and you can see why) or for Dominic West who I’ve seen recently in the BBC’s The Hour and is also known for The Wire. His Gloucester accent is very well done and he somehow manages to inject some humour into the role through his casual tellings of how he murdered his daughter as if he were discussing the weather.
It is a compelling watch, with a brilliant score and cinematography; it looks beautiful thanks to the direction of Julian Jarrold, who was behind last years BBC production ‘Worried About the Boy’ and films such as ‘Becoming Jane’.
It isn’t a surprise the writing was so sharp as Neil Mckay wrote last years ‘Mo’ and 2008’s ‘Mad Money’, both critically acclaimed.
I am looking forward to the next episode as the tensions are building in the Leach household. Janet had to cope with her children and bipolar partner as well as Fred West being her first case. I’m glad the producers decided to focus on her as it brought a human element to the drama. At times West seemed to ordinary and then a dark smirk would fall over his face and you’d see in his eyes the evil behind them. That is exceptional television.
Score: 8.5/10
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