User Reviews

Ian and Emma have a marriage like any other, the usual squabbles, demanding relatives, and all of the complexities that come with a marriage.

I didn't know what to expect, but all I can say is it wasn't this. Let's be honest, this isn't the show for everyone, and I understand the frustrations many felt.

Imagine, a camera following an ordinary family around, this had that kind of vibe, silences, awkward stares etc, the lot.

If you're after something gritty and fast paced,look away now, this probably will frustrate the life out of you, however if you're after something totally different, no murders, no frauds, no intrigue, just the complexities of family life, then give it a try. It gets better with each episode, part one left me scratching my head, wondering if it was for me, I'm glad I persevered.

The theme tune will genuinely drive you insane, it is awful, and will definitely have you reaching for that mute button.

The highlight, the acting, it's worth watching for that acting alone, you will not see better acting that what's presented here, Sean Bean and Nicola Walker are both outstanding, sublimely natural, believable and sincere, if the pair don't win awards, I will be astounded.

I enjoyed it for what it is, I'm not sure I'd want to watch it again, but I'll applaud it for being something different, 7/10.

This isn't a bad mini series, in fact its a great snapshot into the lives of an aging married couple who experience their ups and downs nestled in the relative quiet of middle class suburbia. However...

Cracks do appear in this show. The dialogue is stilted and unrealistic at times. Whilst clearly intentional to showcase the awkward staleness of being around people or relatives you've nothing to say to, the times when the dialogue *should* flow, it still doesn't.

Additionally, the show also lacks emotional and situational closure. Particularly the moments with the family talking about sensitive past events between each other, the scenes felt undercooked and lacking in payoff. The times multiple times when the show needed another 2 minutes to properly round out a dialogue/plot point never came.

For a drama that is clearly supposed to be a slow burning thinker, the overall through line of what the show is about is never brought to fruition. Theres much social commentary to pick at here and there, but all we ever get is scraps. It left me longing for a more meaty look at one or two issues raised by the plot in more depth; but sadly they never came.

The show is worth watching, but it had more potential than it ends up delivering. The two leads, Sean Bean and Nicola Walker need to take a bow as they are fantastic throughout.

P. S - This has the most annoying credits theme tune I've ever heard.

I don't think it's as bad as everyone says. If you're of a certain age and have been in the same relationship for years you will absolutely "get it" but if you're younger than say 40 you probably think it's just a bit banal and slow. The one part I really hated (apart from the music what the blazes was that about?) was the totally unconvincing relationship they had with their step daughter they apparently adopted when she was about 5 I recollect. Every conversation was stilted like they were talking to a total stranger at a bus stop... weird.

It starts with a minor 'thing' that turns into a full blown public row about a baked potato. Turns out Sean's character is just scared of flying, but he won't say so, so the potato is the problem. This sets the stage for some wonderfully observed characteristics of a long term relationship. Some of you, although apparently very few based on current reviews, will recognise those moments that define real love and friendship.

There's a very telling scene in a graveyard where not a word is spoken, but both are broken, sob on a bench, yet contain their grief, no touching or hugs. A dead child? We don't know.

Stolen kisses are a thing, just a quick peck in passing, but say so much.

The stilted conversation until one says what they really think opens up some otherwise guarded emotions. The daughter's awful, controlling and totally selfish boyfriend is going to be a factor. These characters don't want to hurt each other, but I think they will.

Ignore the haters, this is clever and really well observed.

Could of done with a car chase. A random unnecessary sex scene, a few explosions or even a kidnapping or two.

Don't understand where the low rating come from, its a well written and it banality is it's charm.

Ok, this show is watchable. Sean Bean is always great, but he has done better things. I did like this show, not much happens but I guess that is what a marriage is over a long time. Most characters are not likeable, which seems to be a thing now in British shows like this.

But I'm here for the theme song which has to be the most annoying thing ever produced! When it came on in first episode I'm like 'whats going on here?' What is that noise! Just in case you couldn't get enough at the start of the episode, it's there again at the end. Whoever put that together, just stop, get out of the music business now!

An older couple, him struggling with retirement and her devoted to law firm job. They are unable to communicate to any depth with an emotional range from 'good' to 'nice'. He's paranoid about his wife's relationship with her boss and spends his time haplessly meandering around the house. They adopt a black daughter after the death of their son soon after his birth. No, they can't/don't communicate with her either.

By the end, or rather well before the end, I was more than happy to pay the lodgement fee for their divorce application. Congratulations to Walker and Bean for leaving their egos at the door to play these rather pathetic characters.

There's only one word for the sequel: Divorce.

I was really looking forward to this limited series starring two well regarded actors. Unfortunately the script wasn't worthy of their talents. I have rarely witnessed more vapid dialogue or fatuous giggles in a scripted series. And then there were the overlong bits of business with suitcases and dishwashing and grocery shopping just to fill in the empty spaces without advancing the plot.

I have really enjoyed Sean Bean from the time I first met him as dashing Richard Sharpe to the many dramas in which he played the worst sort of villain. Whatever part he played, he held the attention of the room. In Marriage, he was a totally boring, not very bright man married to an equally dull wife. Their daughter could have created some drama, but she came across as unable to close the deal. I don't know if that is the fault of the script or the director, but there were so many missed opportunities to reveal the depths of this marriage.

And don't get me started on that ghastly dance music like a recurring nightmare that played throughout the series. This series was a disappointment in every way.

Please ignore the negative reviews. I think the issue is that the BBC overestimated it's audience, as opposed to any flaws with the show. Golaszweski's writing is astounding, slowly peeling back painful truths, whilst subverting narrative expectations the world of tv has lulled us into needing. I watched it all in one sitting and the last episode truly had me a blubbering mess. This is a masterclass in writing, acting and direction. Characters are exceptionally observed, multi dimensional and complex. If you have half a brain and an attention span, you won't regret investing in this. Truly magnificent.

.... It just doesn't work.

2 great actors in the lead should guarantee success, but alas it doesn't here. Ignore the slow pace and consider what the writer is trying to do... show marriage as mundane and examine the impact of various scenarios on the relationship.

The problem is the slow pace becomes such an issue that the viewer loses interest in the characters and their interactions.

A 1 minute shot of loading a dishwasher? Really?

As an idea, it works. As a production for TV, it's a disaster.

I know the acting was great but my good was the story boring and slow. If you want entertainment this isn't the show for you. If you want an acting lesson then give it a go.

The first episode was challenging and I took away from the experience that they were amplifying the mundane experience of marriage. When you watch 'Friends', the jokes and experience are hyped, and so the background laughs and humour are over the top. Whereas, with Marriage they take the experience of marriage and turn down the experience as low as it can get. I wouldn't say they depict the average couple, but the rare ones who've experienced challenging life events and have lost their spark, and that comes out in monotone social interactions. It will be challenging to make it through four episodes, but glad to see Sean Bean live to the end of the series. Go Sean!

People who have rated this poorly really don't understand acting. It's a fresh look at how to do these dramas. It's the most real portrayal I have seen in years. Silence and real life mistakes. People expect everything polished these days. Brilliantly written and amazing acting. Don't listen to the bad reviews. If you like genuinely good portrayals of normal life, watch this. More of the same please.

This four part series was both brilliant and flawed at the same time but then that's part of the appeal and the point of connection to everyday life.

The acting was spot on, Sean Bean never disappoints whether he's flogging tea or portraying a serious character and on this occasion he was great as the Dad and husband trying to adjust to his new life of relaxation/boredom. Slightly creepy at times but this too was addressed as part of his new search for his place in the world.

I found this compelling viewing despite the slow pace and some unfinished loose ends could have been tidied up but overall spot on.

The hardest thing I found about this was the family's complete lack of ability to be open, and empathic to each other and at times I was almost willing him to put his arm round his wife or give his daughter a hug.

This lack of closeness alone made it frustrating to watch at times for me.

I love the two lead actors who are both at the top of their game but this series defeated them. It was just a really odd fish but not in a good way.

Production values were average all round, the script was a bit of a talkfest with some poor dialogue and didn't ring true. Oddly there was no score to speak of and as a result it felt as flat as a pancake and really dragged.

Sean Bean's character Ian acted like someone had slipped him a sedative before he got on set, I'm surprised they hadn't made him redundant years ago.

None of the characters were really sympathetic and it was a very long sixty minutes. I'm not a BBC knocker out to troll, this was a boring analysis of a boring relationship that left me bored.

Sean Bean never disappoints! Brilliantly made series about long-term relationship with fantastic acting! The characters have depth and they are very down to earth. The brilliancy of the series is that many things are communicated to the viewer without being said. Slow-paced show so not for those who prefer action or more drama.

The acting is brilliant as you would expect with Nicola Walker and Sean Bean, but the dialog and plot are depressing and boring. Plus the theme song is excruciating, just astonishingly painful. If your life us too much fun, and you need something to bring you down, this is your ticket. No Despondex needed. Also, if you want to talk someone out of getting married, get them to watch this show. I imagine the show creators had a meeting where they discussed how much they could punish the audience and still get the show made. Interesting experiment, but leave me out of it. Give this one a miss. Life is too short.

If this "story" went any more slowly, it would be going backwards. Even Nicola Walker and Sean Bean couldn't save this one. Two of my favourite actors were just sacrificed in a boring disaster of a series. I truly couldn't finish even the first episode!

I honestly found myself questioning whether this production even had a script or whether it was one of those "avant-garde" follies that allowed its leads to ad lib their lines. Somehow, even between my two favourite actors, Sean Bean's "performance" was absolutely, embarrassingly appalling. The words "cringe worthy" just sprang to mind.

For their sakes, I tried to stick with it, but the last straw was the visit of a daughter and her boyfriend - and still NOTHING added to the story OR TO THE PACE of the story

These are potentially hours that you will never get back...

I can only imagine the poor reviews are from people who haven't been in a long term relationship and can't understand the dynamic.

From the word go I was amazed by the subtlety of the acting and the reality of the writing. The argument on the plane was perfect and only made better when they held hands on takeoff.

Beautifully written and perfectly acted.

I was drawn to this because I enjoy Nicola's work. Sean is usually in movie genres I don't watch, but what I've seen I like too. I was also pleased to see James Bolam playing Emma's father. I think they did their best with the script and direction they were given. (Or was it unscripted with direction to be as awkward with each other as possible?)

I didn't realize Golaszewski also created Mum and I couldn't get through the 1st episode of that even though I like Leslie Manville's work.

I watched it all simply because I was hoping it got better.

I'm assuming most of the characters were created to be unlikeable - overly fussy, suspicious, arrogant, manipulative, and/or controlling - so the conversations have long silences and are uncomfortable to watch and frankly, weird.

I get an Emperor Has New Clothes vibe from the reviews praising Marriage as depicting real daily life in long term relationships. If this is life as they know it, the bar for excitement is set excruciatingly low. My marriage wasn't great but it wasn't this slow and awkward.

There are a lot of loose ends as to plot lines (young woman at the gym: came out of nowhere and that's where it went). Strange conclusions too.

I hated the intro/exit theme. It was bizarre, loud, and played over some dialogue.

To each his own.

What is wrong with this couple? They've been on the planet 5 decades and they don't seem to have acquired basic language or social skills.

It's so boring/turgid/depressing I'd rather watch sheep grazing.

Why don't these people know how to speak in full sentences? Why is the husband so creepy? Why is the wife working in an office of juveniles instead of a grown up law firm?

In short: Marriage is boring, stifling and tiresome. The reason the Beeb drama department rarely acknowledges the existence of these types of couples is why bother? It's all terribly sad and sadder still for being so mundane.

The opening music is idiotically chaotic and LOUD.

Absolutely awful. I don't know what else to say. The dialogue between the two main protagonists was just dreary, meaningless tripe.

Where they intend going with this in the remaining episodes I just can't imagine - but I won't be going along for the journey.