Saturday, 19 August 2017

Shelbyville

Shelby, Shelby & Shelby
For all its faults, and it has many, believe me (dodgy Birmingham accents, PJ Harvey all over the soundtrack, ropey dialogue), Peaky Blinders is actually getting under my skin - imagine Deadwood set in the West Midlands. I never thought I'd get past Season 1 Episode 1, but now, thanks to those good people at Netflix, I'm at the point of no return: S2:E4. If they hadn't have decamped to Camden Town and brought Tom Hardy in I think I would have kicked it into the long grass long ago. 

But Christ, how hard can it be to do a Brummie accent? Nearly all the cast must think Birmingham is on the Wirral. Then again, Timothy Spall did set the bar quite high in Auf Wiedersehen Pet. And Vic and Bob.

Anyway, it skips along at quite a pace and if you don't mind a script liberally carpet-bombed with 'f*cks' then give it a go. Nick Cave sings the theme tune.

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Red Right Hand

on

16 comments:

  1. The Swede19 August 2017 at 08:47

    I must admit, we threw in the towel after two episodes of the first series.

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    1. John Medd20 August 2017 at 14:02

      I know what you mean. Marmite springs to mind.

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  2. Unknown19 August 2017 at 10:38

    I watched the 1st series but thought it's much like a lot of BBC drama over the past decade or so. Pretty to look at but not much else.
    "Line Of Duty" though is da bomb!

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    1. John Medd20 August 2017 at 13:58

      It is a very stylish programme, there's no getting away from that. Substance wise, not so. LoD is on the list!

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  3. Mark19 August 2017 at 12:17

    Welcome to the clan. Yes, it's a bit daft in places, but I love Peaky Blinders

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    1. John Medd20 August 2017 at 14:00

      Though not a classic, by any means, it's grown on me.

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  4. Alyson20 August 2017 at 12:24

    Oh yes - We binge-watched PB. If you're from Scotland like us, the accents don't pose a problem as not overly familiar with an authentic Brummie one. Don't get me started on dodgy Scottish accents though....

    I wonder if anyone else was transfixed not only by Arthur, but by his spectacular haircut?

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    1. John Medd20 August 2017 at 14:09

      Arthur is probably the most developed character of the ensemble. Unlike a lot of the cast who are very wooden, very 2D, Arthur is believable, credible and, literally, in your face. And, yes, the hair: it's as daft as the script and has a life all of of its own!

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    2. Mark20 August 2017 at 15:18

      Arthur's hair is incredible! And weirdly, though I'm sure Brummies may correct me, I find his accent to be the least jarring. Compared to Auntie Polly for example, you'd swear he had actually visited the Midlands at least!

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  5. Mark20 August 2017 at 15:25

    Actually, the worst accent just has to be the character who I had the highest hopes for, the socialist. Totally ruined that opportunity and you can see why they dropped him so quickly, because that actor was hopelessly out of his depth with the accent and indeed the part.

    Anyone interested in some Peaky history might want to take a look at my blog post here: http://randomramblingsthoughtsandfiction.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/fact-meets-fiction-jessie-eden-and.html

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  6. Circe's Attic20 August 2017 at 18:27

    I don't care what he's saying or how he's saying it ....Cillian Murphy ( fan girl sigh !)

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  7. John Medd20 August 2017 at 20:50

    You're not the first person to tell me that. I was talking to a fellow swooner last night; something about cheek bones, apparently. Though I think it's probably more base...

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    1. C21 August 2017 at 13:22

      It's the eyes. I'm sure CA would agree! I've never seen Peaky Blinders in totality, only a couple of brief clips, but those eyes!

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    2. Alyson21 August 2017 at 14:22

      Cheekbones, eyes AND lips - Bizarre how someone who is essentially a sociopath with a bad haircut, and who keeps a razor inside the peak of his cap, is such a hit with the ladies. I feel so sorry for all the "nice boys" out there!

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    3. C21 August 2017 at 18:15

      Oh, now I'm starting to wonder if we're in danger of turning into one of Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse's Randy Old Ladies. "Ooh, young man!"

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    4. Circe's Attic22 August 2017 at 22:18

      There has to be some cheer as I approach my dotage! To be fair he's also put in some fine performances elsewhere. It seems a big hit cult hit in the US too, my Sister's stepson wore a P.B's outfit to his Prom ( specially ordered from a theatrical costumier in the UK!)

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