It's a Sin

When I was introduced to the characters of this emotional miniseries, I didn't expect them to grow on me. But the opposite became true, and I cried almost all the way through the last episode, as I was so moved by the development and conclusion of the story. In addition to a great script and very strong performances, I have to praise the great soundtrack, which almost perfectly captured the atmosphere of a time when the deadly disease AIDS was spreading rapidly, especially within the gay community. (85%) (24.12.2022)

Two years after Years and Years, Russell T. Davies delivers another impressive limited series. This time, he’s not looking at the future, but at 1980s Britain, when the queer community was coping with the AIDS epidemic and the indifference of the majority of society. It has many happy moments alternating with massive downers. Episodes three and five are downright painful. Thatcher got what she deserved. A great group of characters. La! (25.01.2021)

A few years ago, The Normal Heart, Pride and Never Wipe Tears Without Gloves resonated on television and in cinemas, and like It’s a Sin, they dealt with the ever-present issue of HIV/AIDS in its infancy. Russel T. Davies' miniseries, then, brings nothing particularly new in this regard that we haven't seen before, but still manages to serve up a believable and compelling story of several young people confronted by a then completely unknown and ruthless disease. The first two episodes gave me a bit of an awkward impression, but after that the plot goes full speed on a wave of emotions and more or less strong scenes spiced with a pinch of humour here and there. I had a lot of trouble sympathizing with Ritchie's character, but at least he didn't seem so flat. What appealed to me the most, though, was Lydia West as Jill, who was for me personally the acting highlight of the whole series. I must also not fail to mention the smaller but still impressive roles of Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Fry. I appreciated the way Davies portrayed the origins and early years of the spread of HIV, as well as the diverse perspectives of individual characters and institutions on the issue. Despite the visible comedic touch, almost every episode left a bittersweet impression at the end, leading up to a really strong (if emotionally forced – but whatever!) finale. (13.02.2021)