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Book Group, The - Series 1 (2002) Certificate 15

Book Group, The - Series 1

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Rated 3.5 stars
Average rating
(72%)
 
Starring: Anne Dudek | Rory McCann | Michelle Gomez | James Lance
Director: Annie Griffin
Studio: CHANNEL 4 VIDEO
Run time: 139 mins
Genres: Comedy
Languages: English
Hearing-impaired: English
Released: February 17, 2003

A comedy drama which revolves around a group of friends who meet at a book group with the intention of making new friends as well as reading a few books. Unfortunately it doesn't quite work out that way... Episodes include: 'On The Road', 'The Alchemist', 'Magical Realism', 'Bedtime Stories', 'Dark Alley', and 'A Little More Living'.

Highest rated reviews

6 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4.0 stars
Intelligent comedy

Pomelo from Essex, 25th October, 2004

Fairly dark comedy about the members of a book club in Glasgow.

The club is formed by a lonely American woman, and the members have little in common apart from a passion for books and being footballers' wives (well, 3 of the members).

Intelligent, funny and beautifully acted.

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5 out of 5 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 5.0 stars
Not just about books

Chris441 from London, 1st October, 2005

I enjoyed 'The Book Group' immensely. It was full of unexpected twists, but had a background rooted in down to earthness.

A lonely American writer sets up a book group to meet people, but it is the people who meet who have a great effect on her, not the fact that they gather to discuss a selected book.

The writer Annie Griffin has caught the Scottish deadpan humour spot on.

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5 out of 7 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4.0 stars
Very Good Telly

Mark Adams from Manchester, England, 2nd December, 2004

This was clever, intelligent, subtle comedy for book readers, but not too elitist. The episodes stand alone, but the plots throughout the series is what makes it. I want to join a book group now!

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4 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 3.0 stars

Coney#1 from BRISTOL, 17th May, 2004

Wilfully odd and slow-moving, a DVD that's not for everyone. What we have here is a straightforward drama - it feels like a sitcom until you realise there aren't any real jokes in it. It's different and nicely-made enough to provide a pleasing change of pace.

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Most recent reviews

Rated 4.0 stars
Book Group

Brightside from from Halesowen, 12th October, 2008

Different - I really enjoyed this and have added the 2nd series to my list!

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Rated 4.0 stars
Quality... shame there are only 2 series

NeilCake from from Manchester, 26th June, 2006

I loved the Book Group when it was on telly. It has just the right mix – hilariously funny sometimes, and makes you cringe others.

I think this first series tended to be marked by something really embarrassing at the end of the episode, which would then be immediately followed by something side-splitting.

That contrast is what makes it. It’s the same with Bret Easton Ellis’ book, “American Psycho”. It always followed something horribly sick and violent with something so absurd that it would force you to laugh out loud.

The Book Group was probably more drama than comedy, but its quirky nature and character makes it as entertaining to watch as any straight out comedy.

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Rated 4.0 stars
Promising

A Customer from Wigan, 22nd April, 2006

An American living a lonely life in Scotland forms a book club to meet friends. The first episode - especially the last three minutes are hilarious - but it seems to plateau after that. Still humerous in parts and worth watching.

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