The Cazalets

A diverting new wartime drama starring Lesley Manville, adapted from the novels Marking Time and The Light Years by Elizabeth Jane Howard - novelist, playwright, actress, model (ooh, look at 'er!), married to Scott Of The Antarctic's son and, later, Martin Amis's dad.

It's a posh Kingsley Amis-type deal with the scathing humour and black pathos taking a while to emerge.

At first it's all, 'Do you remember when we cycled all the way to London to see the Proms? That was a jolly good night,' and you can't help thinking, come friendly bombs and land on these bloody softy aristos.

A few people have to die and be raped before you start to sympathise with them.

I found the best way to view it is to treat it like an action movie - try and work out who will die (the one who's a bit too nice, probably), who will discover themselves (young daughter), who will slide into alcoholism and despair (quite a few to choose from), and what is The Family Secret.

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