You can tell how evil or - can't really say "good", let's settle for "less evil" - a person is by the length and intensity of their glares.It's as if John Barrymore and Gloria Swanson were brought in as acting coaches.Worsened by head-scratching plot developments such as throwing out a diaphragm but leaving its box in the medicine cabinet (huh?).Oh, and these high-achieving politicians haven't mastered the basic use of a shredder, yet.So if you can buy all that, maybe you'll like the show. I didn't and was lol-ing my way through the end.

Emily Watson is fantastic in this tremendous British political drama. As the wife of an ambitious politician played by David Tennant, she gives what is nothing less than the performance of a lifetime. Ms. Watson exudes sexuality and her quiet beauty and stunning eyes are completely mesmerizing. In several sequences she virtually sets the screen afire with her volcanic but subdued passion. It is amazing to watch her create a character that is incredibly desirable and stunningly sensual while at the same time being strong willed and seemingly made of steel. Speaking volumes with just those magnificent eyes, she conveys more emotion in a glance than 50 pages of exposition. This is a character who is all woman and then some and there is no doubt regarding her prowess in the bedroom. However, she is equally adept in the cabinet room and her strength as a leader even surpasses her carnal appetites. Watson is the only actress who could manage this and it's wondrous to see. It is no wonder she is so acclaimed as an actor and after so many superb performances that she remains the most respected actress of our time. It doesn't seem possible that she could exceed herself with every role but she does so in film after film as her career continues to astound.

I had this for two days before sitting down to watch, mainly because of the reviews I had read and the spoilers that turned me off to some aspects of the movie. When will I learn? I bought it because David Tennant is an excellent actor and that is the only way I get to see most of his work here in the states. Aiden Hoynes is a politician to his fingertips, but he is also a husband, one who feels that his wife betrayed him and I think his reactions were realistic. It is strange that a woman wrote this and yet the woman is the character who is lacking. She is simply a female version of her husband, yet she keeps trying to hold him to a standard that she does not cleave to herself. Who is she in love with? After she basically calls off her marriage because her husband brings down his ex-best-friend whom had betrayed him and tried to seduce her I lost all sympathy for her. I think at that point every woman in a good marriage watching the movie knew that she cared more about her career and herself than she did anything else, yes she could have been brought down at the same time but didn't she help to contribute to his fall? I did not like how the movie ended because it left their relationship too ambiguous. Freya also reminded me way too much of Hilary Clinton. On the surface this looks like a ruthless husband trying to hold his wonderful wife back, I think the end supports my viewpoint - it is the story of an ambitious woman who sends her husband out to get shot first and take care of the bad guys leaving her free to enjoy the life insurance - luckily for Aiden she can't get rid of him that easily. I am looking forward to watching it again for the nuances that I always miss when I'm watching to see what happens next.

Brilliant drama, a gripping and extraordinary film about politics, power, and political marriages. David Tennant (Aiden Hoynes) and Emily Watson (Freya Hoynes) are brilliant in this film, in roles that are not typical for either one as their characters are not nice people. In fact most of the characters in this film are not nice people. David Tennant portrays Aiden with a very sinister side but with a touch of humanity. Almost all the really emotional scenes belong to Tennant who portrays them with perfection. Emily Watson is brilliant but could have portrayed a little more emotion. Ed Stoppard as Bruce Babbish is chilling, with friends like that you don't need enemies. The performances by all the actors are outstanding. Many of the tender moments in this film are between Aiden and his father, and Aiden and his son. Be aware that their are some strong sexual references in this film and including one very violet sex act at the beginning of part 2 between Tennant and Watson. A very good look at the seedy side of politics. The ending could have been a little better and the dialog could have been better,well worth watching and owning.