Being well aware of the Dennis Potter mystique, and having fond recollections of his first TV play, which I saw prior to emigrating from the UK in 1966, I looked forward to this serial with great anticipation only to be sadly disappointed. It is a remarkable exercise in technical virtuosity, but its ethical content is minimal, by which I mean that it has little or nothing to say about the human condition.
This does not mean that there are not brilliant and enjoyable episodes, but they remain episodes -- they do not add up to anything larger than the sum of the parts. My favourite episode is the Dickensian portrait of the sadistic schoolteacher in Part 4 -- marvellous writing, and a note-perfect performance by Janet Henfrey. Generally speaking, the acting is first-rate and the direction enjoyably deft. The selection of 40's hits is terrific, especially Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in "Accentuate the Positive." But it does not jell.
In the last analysis, I'm reminded of H. G. Wells's parody of Henry James, quoted by E. M. Forster in Aspects of the Novel. In that instance I'm with James and against Wells, but as applied to The Singing Detective Wells's criticism is spot on.
This does not mean that there are not brilliant and enjoyable episodes, but they remain episodes -- they do not add up to anything larger than the sum of the parts. My favourite episode is the Dickensian portrait of the sadistic schoolteacher in Part 4 -- marvellous writing, and a note-perfect performance by Janet Henfrey. Generally speaking, the acting is first-rate and the direction enjoyably deft. The selection of 40's hits is terrific, especially Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in "Accentuate the Positive." But it does not jell.
In the last analysis, I'm reminded of H. G. Wells's parody of Henry James, quoted by E. M. Forster in Aspects of the Novel. In that instance I'm with James and against Wells, but as applied to The Singing Detective Wells's criticism is spot on.