I have to say this is one of the best things I have seen on TV in recent years. It is sublime, from the acting, to the stunning scenery of the north and the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack crafted by the deft hand of Michael Nyman. Everything comes together like a dish served by Heston Blumenthal. I genuinely agree with the other review stating this will become a classic in years to come and will most likely be used for students who are wanting to study beautiful film making.
The comedy served up by Messrs Coogan and Brydon act merely as a backdrop for something far more dark going on in the bleak countryside, all of which seem to make this a post-modern classic love story, and like every love story there is a certain amount of tragedy, seemingly around the corner at any given moment.
Michael Winterbottom deserves the most praise. This is just fantastic stuff, and it's certainly not a run of the mill comedy in the vein of "Gavin & Stacey" or even " Alan Partridge", this is far more sincere and sombre and gives a real insight into a fractured soul aka. Coogan.
Credit where credit is due, Coogan has gone out on a limb here, and it works brilliantly. I do not think I will see another programme so achingly sad and funny for a long time. Well done to all involved, it has been a pleasure to watch.