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DVD Description
BBC Drama Party Animals recreates the behind-the-scenes rough-and-tumble of British politics. Conservative politician James Northcote (played Patrick Baladi, better known for his role as David Brent's straight-laced boss Neil in The Office) and Labour MP Jo Porter (Raquel Cassidy) epitomise the changing public faces of their parties. But the real action centres on their aides. Dedicated researchers Danny, Kirsty, Matt and Ashika help the MPs score points against their enemies - whether adversaries are across the floor or on the same side. Meanwhile, lobbyist Scott finds the shifts in power at Westminster affecting his working life, with both personal and professional loyalties tested. The show takes a sideways, through-the-keyhole look at the way power is deployed and is laden with enjoyable cynicism. The characters are not especially nice people. Vulnerable, yes, though mainly when they fail to exploit others' vulnerabilities, and yet they're interesting. And given that Party Animals a fast-moving drama first and a civics lecture a poor second, it succeeds in telling a bit about the way Westminster office politics truly works.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Loved this - real grown-ups' telly and I don't mean lots of sex and gore as in how something like Torchwood is supposed to be "grown-up", but rather in the sense of being wise, thought-provoking, perceptive, politically realistic and about ideas and human nature. Not often that you get something so witty, grown-up, engrossing and ENTERTAINING on the box. The visuals and the acting were so convincing it felt like you were there, and I found I became very involved in it. There were sympathetic characters to engage with who would then go and do something unacceptable which was shocking but you could understand how they had got there. There were also plenty of out-and-out horrors who nevertheless had their moments of compassion so, like life, you never knew what was coming next. The drama was never pushed to the point where it lost credibility and some scenes still stick in my memory - like the shocking moment where a drunken friend/rival is hit by a car moments after an argument. Another scene where the lovers are stealing time (and the opportunity to have sex) in a white room in a country house, and although the relationship is all wrong, you can see how they got there and why that place and time has its attraction. It was a convincing portrayal of the nitty-gritty of politics from constituency meeting to Westminster. The whole thing is shot for realism, and it works, so even the style expresses the mores and obsessions of our time. Couldn't believe it was such a short series, and couldn't believe it didn't make it to a second series - what is WRONG with our tv culture that this didn't "succeed"? I am so glad it is out on DVD. I'm sending it to my mum because she loved it too. So there.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
I was a fan of this when it first aired on BBC2. It is a drama set against the backdrop of politics, focussing on young Labour and Tory members. The central characters are brothers Danny and Scott Foster. Danny is an idealist, working for Jo Porter Labour junior minister at the Home Office. Scott worked for the party, but left to join Templeton Carter, a lobbying firm, and is cynical about politics. Their late father was a labour MP for the Northern Constituency of Sedley. Ashika Chandiramani is special advisor to James Northcote, tory shadow minister. She is smart, ambitious, and future tory candidate. When Scott is urged by his boss to build up some tory contacts, he arranges a meeting with James Northcote. James sends Ashika in his place, and the attraction between Scott and Ashika is obvious from the start. When the sitting Labour MP for Sedley dies, and a bye-election is called, Ashika gets the tory nomination, and Scott is drafted in by the labour party to run their campaign.
This drama is funny, sexy, well written, and beautifully acted by established stars such as Patrick Baladi (The Office) and Raquel Cassidy (teachers) Peter Wight and new talents, Shelley Conn, Matt Smith, Andrew Buchan, Andrea Riseborough & Clemency Burton Hill Andrea, Pip Carter. It's a shame that BBC didn't decide to go with a second series, but this series can stand alone. I've deducted one star from my rating, because the music, which was such an integral part of the series as broadcast (Razorlight, The Guillemots, Aha amongst others) has been changed on the DVD version. Disappointing, but I presume a rights problem...even still drama doesn't get much better than this.
This drama is funny, sexy, well written, and beautifully acted by established stars such as Patrick Baladi (The Office) and Raquel Cassidy (teachers) Peter Wight and new talents, Shelley Conn, Matt Smith, Andrew Buchan, Andrea Riseborough & Clemency Burton Hill Andrea, Pip Carter. It's a shame that BBC didn't decide to go with a second series, but this series can stand alone. I've deducted one star from my rating, because the music, which was such an integral part of the series as broadcast (Razorlight, The Guillemots, Aha amongst others) has been changed on the DVD version. Disappointing, but I presume a rights problem...even still drama doesn't get much better than this.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Loved this series set in the political world in London. Fantastic acting all round by the cast, excellent script, very fast moving, just fab all round (made even better by the gorgeous and fantastic Andrew Buchan-keep an eye on him!!)
Only thing that lets the series down is the very open ending-knowing now that there won't be a second series will leave us forever wondering.........
Only thing that lets the series down is the very open ending-knowing now that there won't be a second series will leave us forever wondering.........
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Too good to miss. Buy this NOW!
'Party Animals' tells the blackly funny and dramatic tale of a disparate group of young(ish) people involved in the dirty but fascinating world of politics. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mike B
great and more would be welcome
This is a really enjoyable well acted Drama. All the central performances are outstanding. The characters are a mix of types with likeable and sometimes horrible traits but that is... Read more
Published 12 months ago by D. Stephen Wilkinson
Party Animals DVD
This political drama series follows the lives and loves of two twenty-something brothers, who work in and around Westminster, during the final years of the New Labour government. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Demurely
Gritty, sexy politics!
When Party Animals was first broadcast on BBC2 it passed me by completely. It wasn't until it got a repeat run on BBC4 that a friend told me I should watch. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Jark91
EXTRA REASONS TO WATCH
Sons of a dead left wing MP, Scott lucratively lobbies whilst Danny is a minister's researcher. Their relationship is severely tested when Scott falls for the Tory standing at a... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. D. L. Rees
a very good 'watch'
I bought this dvd as a result of wanting to watch a more serious political drama. I love 'The Thick of It' but that is comedy, however much it is based upon reality. Read more
Published 20 months ago by I. J. Davison
Entertaining but not great
For a political satire I'm afraid it doesn't have nearly enough politics for my taste (and too much focus on relationships. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Aelfwine
Party animals
This DVD arrived very soon after I had ordered it. The price was excellent. I have not viewed it because I sent it to someone as a present
Published on 29 May 2010 by Maureen London
Quality TV
I have been hoping that this will get another TV airing since Matt Smith became the new Dr Who. This drama follows a pair of brothers Danny and Scott (Smith and hugely talented... Read more
Published on 6 May 2010 by Paulette
Terrific buy!
Great to be able to see this excellent BBC series again and at such a reasonable price. The BBC should be ashamed of themselves for not having repeated in on any of their channels. Read more
Published on 6 May 2010 by M. J. Paton
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