Sunday, November 10, 2019

THE DURRELLS IN CORFU

One of TV’s brightest gems has one of the strangest names, which means that its quiet four season run on PBS may have passed you by. There’s still time! When I talk to friends and family about it, they never even heard of it. It's no secret I don't watch much tv, and If I do, it's mostly PBS, or British tv. For three seasons, Masterpiece audiences have been charmed by The Durrells in Corfu.

 The story is based on the real Durrell family... of a hilariously, dysfunctional, quirky family who decamps from dreary England to a sun-dappled Greek island. In the fourth and final season the Durrells’ idyllic island life is cut short by the outbreak of World War II.

 The series begins in 1935, when Louisa Durrell suddenly announces that she and her four children will move from Bournemouth to the Greek island of Corfu. Her husband has died some years earlier and the family is experiencing financial problems. A battle ensues as the family adapts to life on the island which, despite a lack of electricity, proves that Corfu is cheap and an earthly paradise It's  been established that this isn’t a series about posh people, but it could still look (to some) like a stodgy historical drama. It is truly anything but. The Durrells is incredibly funny, thanks largely to Keeley Hawes’ “grin and bear it” portrayal of Louisa Durrell, who is unflappable in the face of everything her children get involved in ,and that she sometimes gets involved in as well. Her eldest son Larry ,Josh O’Connor, is something of a confidant but also a consternation as he grumpily writes his novels, and giddily and constantly brings a revolving door of girlfriends to the house.  Leslie ,Callum Woodhouse is an exasperating dolt who loves shooting his guns and puffing himself up beyond his abilities, but he’s also increasingly likable ,he’s also hilariously worshipped by their entertaining and deadpan elderly and often infirm housekeeper Lugaretzia, played by Anna Savva. Margot ,Daisy Waterstone, is interested in everything, but not particularly good at anything, though her desire to find her vocation is one that echoes the show’s overall themes.

Waterstone’s portrayal of Margot as an earnest ditz is truly fantastic. Finally, Gerry.

Gerry is a young naturalist who keeps an array of animals to study throughout the house, inside and out, adding to the already carnival-esque atmosphere within their abode. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the fun performance by the legendary Leslie Caron as the Countess Mavrodaki

and the beyond handsome Alexis Georgoulis...

as Louisa's sough after and handsome crush, Spiro.

Oh my is he handsome. I'm sad to see yet another good show end in a already crowded field of garbage. If you did watch the show and haven't seen the final season yet. you'll be treated with easy going, low key, and whimsical touchstones that made the show so good over the years.  And if your just now hearing of the series and watch on a streaming network....your in for a treat.I'll miss this gem.It's a show I could see myself in. I was touched to see it end with a dinner in the sea.

22 comments:

  1. I love this show too, Mistress! I've watched all 4 seasons on PBS and enjoyed every episode!

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  2. I enjoy this series so much! It is excellent! I can't believe it's ending already. I often watched and wondered if this was your family?

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  3. Cap Chasen11/10/2019

    I love the book that Lawrence Durrell wrote and the show was very well done. I too was tickled to see Leslie Caron. She was always one of my favorites.

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  4. I wish this series would go on forever. This family actually makes me laugh out loud.

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  5. Leslie Caron has aged well.

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  6. Yes111111111111 I have heard of it, and adore this show, such a good show, relatable characters with such realism, I’m in love with the story. Bought all 3 seasons, looking to putting my feet up the next couple days and get caught for on 4. and simply watch with no cares in the world - just me and this remarkable tv show. It is sad it's ending. So heard to find good enjoyable shows.

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  7. This series is a work of art, and I see something new in each segment every time I revisit seasons. Recommend the books as well, especially for those who love to read about nature and animals!

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  8. I don't watch tv anymore. I answered your egg question, my internet sucks and your usually not this blog busy on a weekend!

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    1. I have had alot to say this weekend. It was all hens and no cock, what can i tell you tootes.

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  9. Sounds interesting!
    xoxoxoxox :-)

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  10. oh that does sound jolly !

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  11. One of my favorite series in some time! They even aired there here. I have enjoyed these more than anything else on film. A true pleasure. And Keeley Hawes is truly a fine actress...she was perfect in this.

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  12. This show was suggested to me by blogger Sol (who, sadly, has dropped out of circulation since several months ago - through commitments, I think). I gave it a short go but it didn't hold my attention, especially since I very rarely watch serials anyway. But then I caught up on some repeats earlier this year and it's funny how it grows on one, till I was actually quite sorry when it had to end.

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    1. It was the same way with me Raybeard. By the fourth eposode i was hooked. Now i feeling like im losing family.

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    2. I'd watch them all again.

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  13. You’re right, I’d never heard of it. We watch HBO and Netflix here, which has some different and sometimes more limited programming. Will see if we can find this. It sounds great. Thanks for the heads up!

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  14. Ohhh I'm going to have to check this out!

    XOXO

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  15. I read Gerald's book - My Family and Other Animals - when I was in school. Never watched the TV series, though. Jx

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    1. PS Leslie Caron is still alive??!!

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    2. Yes dear...she still looks good and is getting up there..at 88 years of age.

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  16. I to never heard of it, but what a great plug for the show. I will have to catch this somehow/ I don't watch much tv either, and this sounds very enjoyable.

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