A Fine Romance, Vol. 1 (1981)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written by Bob Larbey
Directed by Simon Cellan Jones, Graham Evans, and Don Leaver
Starring Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Susan Penhaligon, Richard Warwick

Features:

• Notes from writer Bob Larbey
  
• Cast filmographies
  
• Episode synopsis section
  

Released by: Acorn Media
Rating: NR
Region: 1
Anamorphic: N/A; appears in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio

My Advice: Rent it, or buy it if you like British television

Laura (Dench), who is self-employed as a translator, has a well-meaning, but interfering sister and brother-in-law. This time, Helen and Phil (Penhaligon and Warwick) think they have the perfect match for Laura: shy, gentle landscape gardener Mike (Williams). Both Laura and Mike have been down this road before and are convinced it won’t work, yet they feel somewhat drawn to each other and are otherwise quite lonely. Over these first nine episodes of this popular British television show, we meet Laura and Mike and go with their down their first tottering steps toward a relationship that cannot be called “a fine romance” in any way other than tongue-in-cheek.

This series is quite funny, but often in a very sly way. If you have ever had a bad date, had no idea what to do on a date, or felt like the only adult alone on Valentine’s Day, then this series is for you. It’s far more intelligent and honest than you might expect, and its sarcastic take on “fine romance” means that it’s devoid of cutesy, Hollywood goofiness. These are adults here, and while they aren’t quite slick and smooth, they act like adults.

The acting is, of course, quite good. Dame Judi is always wonderful, and this series shows a side of her we don’t always get to see: comedy. As the brainy, restrained Laura, she is marvelous, able to be both charming and barbed in a single breath. Her real-life husband Michael Williams as Mike is similarly skilled. Unlike many romantic comedies where you just want to dash the leads against a rock, you actually like (and respect!) these two and want them to get together. But alas, “the road to true love” and all that rot.

There are a few features on this set worth mentioning. Of particular interest are the notes from series writer Bob Larbey; if you fall in love with this witty show, you will appreciate the chance to see into what he was thinking and trying to achieve. Americans, cheated of the first run of this series on TV, will especially appreciate the chance to hear more about the show in general. There are also cast filmographies, helpful when you ask yourself where you’ve seen that Brit before, and an episode synopsis section.

The audio and video quality are surprisingly good for a TV series, especially one this age. The colors are a bit muted, but they aren’t muddied or unattractive, and there are no cracklings or dirt on the film. The stock must have been in very good shape. It won’t be quite up to today’s television standards, but it still looks pretty good. Certainly you can enjoy the show in peace.

Not a show for giggly adolescents or adults who still like monster truck rallies, this is a show for people who don’t mind thinking a little bit when they are entertained. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll be rather pleased with the treatment it has received here. If you aren’t, then the mixture of characterizations, comedy, and drama, as well as the high quality performances, make this series worth a rental, at least. A Fine Romance is, at heart, a romantic comedy for “the rest of us.”