Manchild - Series 1 [DVD] [2002]

It may not sound like promising material - a group of 50-something nouveau riche blokes negotiaing their assorted mid-life crises and trying to rediscover lost youth through a maze of ruined relationships and extravagent self-indulgence. In fact, what could have been a leaden concept is saved by a light and witty script and excellent performances from, in particular, Nigel Havers, Anthony Head and Don Warrington.

Each episode has its own independent dialectic, but unlike many sitcom scenarios Manchild also advances the characters and the overall storyline. You do at least feel there is progress through the series, though the characters don't really learn lessons - if they did, there wouldn't have been a second series!

I first noticed this series when happening upon Episode Three - and it immediately gripped me. I have not missed an episode since, taping Series 2 on video, pre-ordering this Series 1 on DVD, and impatiently awaiting the DVD release of Series 2. Am 40-something and still single, but the living-it-up affluence of these four characters is way beyond both my mental reach and my current account's fiscal welly.

Everything about it is slick - note the rich colour co-ordination (clothing vis-à-vis backgrounds of walls, furnishings, paintings, etc.) in every scene. The accompanying soundtrack is near-perfectly chosen for accompanying the various scenes and dénouements. Am sort of expecting a CD release of this, too!

MANCHILD may have been inspired by SEX AND THE CITY, but it is not merely a male version of it. SATC celebrates women's sexual liberation - with gusto, even. But it does take itself rather seriously, making various navel-gazing statements about women's empowerment; there are no, or at least very few serious character flaws. Not so with MANCHILD - which is VERY self-mocking!

The series' concept does not celebrate male post-marriage freedom, as the two main characters, Terry (Nigel Havers) and James (Anthony Head), have not divorced from their wives and family due to Irreconcilable Differences, but have done so solely to recapture their youth. In fact, this wilful escape from their paternal/familial responsibilities is somewhat reprehensible. It's just that they have the financial wherewithal to do so, thus demonstrating that they have never actually grown-up, but want to go back and play with the toys of their youth, i.e. their male egos. Terry and James are a coiled spring of serious character flaws. The sight of Terry and his 23-year old model girlfriend in bed talking about her new mobile 'phone wasn't "bitching" - it was cringing!

Patrick (Don Warrington, a much under-appreciated comic actor) has never 'bought into' the concept of marriage, but swans through Life enjoying everything there is (it helps enormously that he, too, has invested well and so has the dosh to do so). The two rather sensitive episodes in which Patrick was pained and grieving for the loss of his mother were tinged with pathos, but were never mawkish (and they could so easily have been). So when he wanted "a brown one, off the shelf" ...!

Gary (Ray Burdis) is actually the happiest man of the four - BECAUSE he is married. His mind may wander now and then, symptomatic of age and uncommunicative progeny (a 'Kevin type'), but his emotional anchor is very much his wife Cheryl (Lindsey Coulson) who will always Say The Right Thing and is Always There For Him. He's the one I envy [you can tell I'm single, eh?!!].

MANCHILD is, in my opinion, a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek visual seminar of How Not To Do It. Terry and James' situations and chats with their ex-wives, Christine (Christine Kavanagh) and Elizabeth (Frances Barber) - both excellently-cast! - along with Havers' to-camera monologues and knowing glances provide The Laughs. In the later series of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER I keep expecting to hear Buffy or Willow quip, "Giles, what the hell were you doing in London all this time?" Knowing the writing styles of both series quite well, I believe some kind of oblique reference might not be out of order!

I would not say that MANCHILD is either better or not as good as SEX AND THE CITY. Personally, I prefer the former - being A Man it 'speaks to me' more. Both series are aimed at different audiences and age groups. So let's just enjoy both: vive la différence!

The Special Features on this DVD are ... well, non-existent. Unfortunately this is generally the norm for DVD releases of television series. An interview, however brief, with the writer (Nick Fisher) would have been most appreciated. How he came up with the idea, any characters who may have served as rôle models, how the director cast these particular four male actors and their womenfolk, choice of some of the opulent locations, etc., etc.

The women may have Carrie & Co. but the men now have Terry, James, Patick and Gary, four middle-aged men who refuse to grow up. Two divorcees, a (happily ?) married man and a perpetual single share the experiences of their life as they reach the 50 year mark.

Young women, fast bikes and erectial dysfunction are part of these mens life along with pothead sons and fancy restaurants. Do life's pleasures really only start at 50? Who is better off, the geezer with the young woman, or the married chap? And if you time it right can you get it all ?

Beautifully scripted, acted and directed, this series is thoroughly enjoyable for men of all ages, but is bound to irritate and annoy women. Do not watch it with your girlfriend or wife, or prepare a long speech why you are not like these guys beforehand.