Tom Hollander Says Masterpiece’s ‘Us’ Is ‘Supposed to Be a Story of Hope’
Preview
“It’s undignified to hold on to the sleeve of someone who wants to leave,” observes one character in this four-part Masterpiece, nimbly adapted by David Nicholls from his novel.
Nonetheless, Douglas Petersen (The Night Manager‘s Tom Hollander) latches on with both hands when his wife, Connie (Saskia Reeves), decides their opposites-attract relationship has run its course.
“He’s a fussy, funny nerd,” Hollander says, “at turns quite sweet and quite irritating.” Which makes it all the more entertaining when he tries to change Connie’s mind as they and distant teen son Albie (Tom Taylor) set off on a “grand tour” of Paris, Amsterdam, Venice and Barcelona. (A stunning, art-filled pre-COVID travelogue, Us “offers a glimpse of something we all took for granted until very recently,” Hollander notes.)
The couple’s eventual split may seem inevitable, but, he adds, Us is “supposed to be a story of hope.”
Us, Summer, PBS
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G
I thoroughly enjoyed "Us", especially Tom Hollander. Beautiful & funny & touching story. Lovely scenes of European cities & magnificent art. I couldn't tell whether Connie & Douglas would stay together or not. I thought the ending was realistic -- marriages don't always last a lifetime. They both continued forward into a new phase of their lives, even though bittersweet for Douglas. And he now has a good relationship with his son, which he & Connie can continue to enjoy. Highly recommended.
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P
I am very disappointed. While I agree that the story was bittersweet, it certainly was not hopeful. It left you with a bad feeling, both for the couple and their son. In these days of despair in our world, why do we want to see a couple's marriage crumble? Wouldn't it have been better to see them rekindle why their marriage worked in the first place, amid the backdrop of Europe's beauty? And of course the show had to be used to "out" a confused young man, who they let wander all over Europe alone and sexually vulnerable while still a minor. Yes, I am "old fashioned", but let's stand for stable marriages and solid families by changing what we accept from film makers.
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P
What location is the closing scene, with the pedestal statue in a plaza?
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R
Started so well.
Recommended to so many.
Such a sad disappointment.
Will revisit and stop my recommendation.
However, Tom Hollander was magnificent.
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G
Loved PBS' "US" until the last scene which ruined it. The dialog, acting and scenery were great up until Connie and Douglas went their separate ways in front of the gallery exhibiting Albie's photos. They should have stopped filming there. The actress playing Connie was too old for the part, but she is very convincing otherwise. Douglas was always on top of the role.
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