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55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Best of the Beeb, 3 Feb 2005
Judging from the standard fare on our terrestrial TV, it seems to be an extraordinarily difficult task to make a drama series about the lives of ordinary Northern people which doesn't include hard-done by but strong women, hen-pecked blokes down the working mens' club, unemployment, redundancy and general deprivation. I lose count of how many times we have been subjected to repeat viewings of gaggles of cackling women gagging for Barcardi Breezers and male strippers, and "folk" who are as poor as church mice but with hearts of gold. And don't forget the crassness of the Northern nouveau-riche who put red wine in the fridge and wear Versace to go down Tescos. And although series such as "Cold Feet" have gone some way towards 'sexing up' the North, you will note that the only characters who make a success of their lives are those who have moved up to the North- the locals usually making up the comedy buffoon element. However, "Clocking Off", while very definitely set in the North, has managed to overcome these stereotypes fostered by our Southern-biased programmers, and what we have is an excellent series of self-contained dramas featuring some of the most talented and watchable British actors around, including the always-brilliant Christopher Ecclestone, Leslie Sharpe, Ricky Tomlinson (admitedly playing the same character he always does but still effectively)to name but a few, and loads of faces you'll have seen many times on TV but perhaps can't put a name to. And although there are a few nods towards traditional TV Northern culture (perhaps to appease those who live south of Sheffield?) the stories are gripping, touching and brilliantly scripted. I saw it for the first (and only) time several years ago when it was first broadcast and several of the stories stick in my mind even now- realistic situations you could easily find yourself in. The one I particulary remember was with the aforementioned Mr. Tomlinson, when he had to choose whether to stay with his long-time disabled wife and live an utterly miserable but blameless existence or to abandon his wife and make a new life with another woman, complete with unbearable guilt. It was an incredibly poignant and beautifully-acted tale. If you haven't seen this already (and let's face it, they show it practically on a loop on UK Gold), then it's a must-have.
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