TV Review: The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard
Published October 20, 2007
The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard is, well, amazing. Focusing on politics in England, the show centers itself on the unlikely character of Ros Pritchard (Jane Horrocks). Ros, as the series opens, is the manager of a Greengages grocery store, but she doesn't remain as much for long.
When two candidates standing for a seat in Parliament start a fight with each other in front of Ros's store, Ros gets involved. Initially Ros just breaks up the fight, but soon after she has a few choice words for the press about the candidates. Before too long, Ros is giving more and more interviews and running for the seat herself all while forming her own political party. Then, quicker than one can blink an eye, other people (mostly women) are joining her party and running in their districts. Pretty soon, current MPs are defecting from their parties to Ros's, most significantly Catherine Walker (Janet McTeer) a shadow minister in the current administration. The groundswell continues and by the end of the episode Ros has become Prime Minister.
Ros's political party's main point is what we all know, too many of our politicians say and do too little for the people while promoting
themselves incessantly. Politicians say this to us all the time with it being little more than hot air, Ros's selling point is the fact that not only does she mean it, it is perhaps true that our politicians do mean it (but being politicians they do not particularly care), but she is not a politician. She, to this point, has not been a part of the problem.
Acting as sometimes support, Ros has a family of her own. They have to struggle dealing with this curveball, too. Her husband, Ian (Stephen Mackintosh), may have the most difficulty with Ros's running and her new job early on, but it is her eldest daughter, Emily (Carey Mulligan) that may have the worst time of it.
Yes, the entire event is unlikely. Ros getting elected is highly improbable. Ros's party winning a majority is utterly impossible. But, it is truly marvelous and only the first hour of the six hours in the season.
- TV Review: The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard
- Published: October 20, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Comedy, Video: Drama, Video: Television
- Writer: Josh Lasser
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Comments
I just watched the first couple of episodes of the Amazing Mrs Pritchard, (I live in Alaska) we get British shows late. it wasn't too long before it became evident that this was written by a woman ( no objection there sine I am one too) - but golly, wot a load of utter rubbish! So embarrasing to all females and indeed to any one with even a 30 watt voltage in the brain. Sorry, but this has to be one of the most idiotic, unflattering depictions of "girl power" I've ever seen.
A horrible ending? You might like to say that. I couldn't possibly comment.
I watched "The Amazing Mrs.Prithard from the very first part to the last part and boy was I so upset at the ending.Why did you leave it up in the air like that. Is there going to be an Amazing Mrs. Pritchard "2" ?
I agree with Dee Dee and F. Urquhart - I don't think that was any way to end a story - it just seems like the writer got Mrs. Pritchard into an impossible situation and then couldn't get her out of it or take us through it in a credible way. I'm very disappointed. I was really enjoying this.
to the woman who said. "Sorry, but this has to be one of the most idiotic, unflattering depictions of "girl power" I've ever seen."
I completely disagree and so do many of my friends aged 25-45 who watched the show .
This is a brilliant show, well written and brilliantly acted.
You say it could never happen? Not in British politics perhaps, but in America anything is possible-- demonstrated by both the present and the past.
Our current president is a "C" student, ex-drug addict, a draft dodger (confirmed) and is also a religious fanatic who openly says that God tells him what wars to start. Mr Bush is also notorious for filling top White House positions with completely unqualified people.
It's a known fact that hundreds of White House positions were filled with graduates from the televangelist Pat Robertson's evangelical "School of Law." This school is rated a "tier four" school, a rating so low one could hardly call it a school.
Many Americans, including myself believe that without Mr Bush's privileged elitist family connections he would never have been president. Also one of the most powerful positions in the GOP was held by an ex-bug exterminator.
So I do believe that anything is possible in American politics.
I do believe that our system is broken and we are all looking forward to this election year. Many Americans are looking for renewed hope and the restoration of truth and our shredded constitution.
If someone like Mrs. Pritchard were running today
I think she could win. I admit that it would be difficult because of the way our two party system is setup.
I believe that our two party system is broken
along with our Electoral System.
Also, the Corporate American media does a good job at keeping out the voices of candidates that don't support their corporate interests.
All of the pundits pontificate on what they think people are thinking, but they don't really know. When Hillary recently showed emotion they were beside themselves. I laughed my butt off, it was so ridiculous. They were all shaking their heads in disbelief when she won New Hampshire. The only thing they could agree on was that perhaps showing emotion must have been the reason she won. What a bunch of BS! If she had lost, they would have said the same thing, but blamed it on the female "tears card", which is a big no no in politics.
I remember when Americans said that we could never be illegally spied on by our government . I remember when American citizens thought we could never lose Habeas Corpus--our right to a trial. And lastly I clearly remember when everyone thought an actor could never be president.
Someone like Mrs. Pritchard would be a welcome
breath of fresh air.




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