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It
is interesting then to go back to the late 1980s to see her in a TV
drama production when she was perhaps not as well known worldwide as
she is today. Four years before she gained recognition in the first TV
season of As Time Goes By in 1992 and the James Bond ‘comeback’ movie GoldenEye in 1995, the then 54-year-old Judi Dench had a BAFTA-nominated starring role in Behaving Badly – a British TV miniseries aired in 1989 comprising of four 50 minute parts.
At the time, she had only just been made a Dame in the previous New Year Honours list.
In
the first batch of what we can only hope are regular releases
of prestige British TV productions from the 1980s/1990s, Acorn Media
Australia has brought Behaving Badly onto the DVD market for the first time.
Based
on a book by Catherine Heath (who co-wrote the film script) - Dench
plays a stiff, upper-class wife who breaks down after learning of her
husband's extramarital affair. After several years accepting her fate
living in a small flat, working part-time and going to evening classes,
she draws on her inner strength and decides to start behaving badly by
making bold and risky changes in the way she lives her life. This
includes moving back in with her ex-husband and his new wife, and then
falling in love with a young man.
The miniseries concept allows
for the story to build slowly - but perhaps a little too slowly in
parts (especially if you're watching in one big block). Despite my
admiration of any work that Judi Dench does, even I found the four
hours a bit tiresome and was forced to fast forward some parts.
In particular, the scenes featuring Gwen Watfordias as the former
mother-in-law of Dench’s character were very annoying as the part is in
no way an appealing one. Similarly, Joely Richardson’s supporting role
as a nervous and stressed teacher grates on the nerves rather quickly
too.
Behaving Badly is
firmly pitched at a female audience (let's face it, how many blokes
really want to sit through a story about a woman gaining control over
her life and gaining the confidence to make her own decisions??).
Overall though, an enjoyable DVD about relationships and personal growth.
EXTRAS
There is some text that details the main stars’ film
biographies. They are an interesting read but are not a real
attraction in a day and age where extensive extras are the norm. I’m sure
there were some interviews with Judi Dench filmed at the time of the
making of the miniseries that would give this release some extra class - but sadly - they aren't here!
Conclusion: Episodes 70% Extras: 30%
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