Predictable and gratuitous (Above Suspicion)

Member Name: jesperado

Product:	Above Suspicion
Date:	15/01/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some good performances

Disadvantages: Lazy writing, predictable and relies on the shock factor

Aside from a couple of good performances this was a fairly poor and pretty ghoulish crime thriller. The basic plot is that a number of prostitutes and one female student have all been killed in the same way and have had their bodies mutilated and dumped. New detective Anna Travis investigates with the help of her tough boss DS Langton. When a charismatic film star becomes involved, Travis doesn't know who to trust.

This two part drama was rather predictable. It's difficult to review something like this without giving away too much of what happens so I'll try not to spoil it for anyone. There is some incredibly wooden acting from the guy who is supposed to be a famous film star although his resemblance to Tom Cruise during a TV interviewer makes this character (unintentionally) quite funny! Anna Travis is well played by Kelly Reilly although she has not been giving much dialogue to work with. Rather than being intentional this seems more like laziness on the part of the writer. The programme relies far too heavily on the shock value of scenes of decomposing bodies and flashbacks to rape and murder to the point where the viewer becomes desensitized to it, making the culprit's confession almost comical in its attempts to disgust the viewer. Rather than creating solid characters, Lynda la Plante uses clichés to establish back stories. Travis seems to glean information that her colleagues do not have just by looking out of the window - this might not make any sense but watch the programme and you'll see what I mean, it is a really weak plot device/character gimmick. The only redeeming features of this programme are the performances by Kelly Reilly and Ciaran Hinds who plays Travis's boss.

Summary: Not great