Review
A wonderful and almost perfect rendition of a classic.
Some people (few people) scoff at this version for being too visual. In fact they scoff at any visual version for trying to interpret what in essence are novels driven by wonderful narrative. However the charm comes in the perspective as well as the aesthetic.
Yes its a beautiful show. It uses locations perfectly and remains diligent to those halls as to their fictitious namesake. You eventually come to know these halls and manors yourself as Bertie once again is called out to Tottley.
The music is a beautiful pastiche of all things 20s. Incidental score while fairly repetitive (youll hear the same motifs and themes pop up regularly) just adds to the warm familiar atmosphere. It adds charm and period distinction. The actual songs in the show are fun as well and made for a wonderful soundtrack.
The acting as well is perfect. It characterises the pomp without anyone seeming awkward. The scripts flow and the pace always complements the stories. Fry and Laurie were born for this part and never once slip from character or wither in the spotlight.
But as I was saying the beauty comes in perspective. Some people have grumbled that Lauries "Wooster" is too much of a fool compared to the beautiful prose hes meant to have jotted in "his" books yet I think it adds as I said perspective. We all write and dictate experiences from a personal perspective what the show does is offer similar instances (and they are similar not exact in most cases) from a third party perspective. What we write in hindsight is rare to what objectively happened. This warm hearted Oxford gentlemen is educated but not over gifted in the sense department. He writes and plays beautifully but hes not quick and we see that demonstrated perfectly through Laurie.
Fry is masterful as Jeeves. Younger than what some would prefer nevertheless you dont doubt his presence for a second.
The stories are a mix of accurate rendition and loose interpretation. The final fourth season especially has a couple of episodes which dont really feel quite on the ball as the rest possibly because the divert too far from Wodehouses material nevertheless the fourth season does sort of tie up the loose ends yet has a finale which keeps Jeeves And Wooster feeling as eternal on the TV screen as it does in book form.
A wonderful compliment to Wodehouses masterful books. Miss at your peril.