The Book Group: Trailer, certificate and where to watch
Comedy about a neurotic American running a book club full of eccentric characters
Year: 2002-2003
Certificate: 15
A low-key comedy-drama that brings together lonely, neurotic American Clare (Anne Dudek) and the members of the book group she starts after moving to Glasgow. The people who join the group are just as dysfunctional as she is, in their own unique ways, which makes for lively and unexpected viewing.
At the inaugural meeting in episode one, Clare is a terrible, eye-rolling host and seems most put out that her first guest is in a wheelchair. But Kenny (Rory McGann, The Hound in Game Of Thrones) is much more than his disability and his fellow readers, too, reveal hidden depths that defy expectations. There's a trio of footballers' wives (Doctor Who's Michelle Gomez among them), handsome yet pretentious student Barney (James Lance, Ted Lasso) and football-mad Rab (Shetland's Derek Riddell), and all are given equal weight, with no one character stealing the show.
It can be quite an uncomfortable watch at times, and doesn't always hit the right mark, muddling the delicate balance between comedy and drama. Overall, though, it's a positive experience, as we see each character grow and change, while Clare too assimilates to a new country and our obsession with 'hot water' - aka tea. (Two series)
