User reviews

Back and forwards all the time with irritating parts played by the young counterparts of the main characters and dramatic music score like in a B movie. I was immediately put off at the start by the terrible casting of Ioan's parents namely Rupert Graves and Dervla Kirwan. Considering Rupert is ten years older, Dervla a mere two years older than Ioan I initially thought oh they must be playing his brother and sister in law but no. They even gave Dervla a grey rinse to make her seem more authentic. They should have cast actors in their late 60s or 70s not two actors who are in their fifties. So the whole thing is ridiculous from that point as well as the daft plot. The only thing going for it is the scenery.

This could have been so much better! The first big mistake was to have Rupert Graves play Ioan Gruffudd dad especially as there is only 10 years between them both. Rupert is a great actor but you cannot make the father/son gap work without some serious makeup to make the gap would better. The other this is that as someone with dyslexia there are far too many subtitles and the speed is a bit fast so you cannot keep up with what is going on. Also the third point is that the stories didn't also seem to flow smoothly so you felt you bounce a long and jumps with some weird story plots that don't seem to fit or feel relieved to the over all story.

This looked promising, the cast are fantastic actors, the location is simply stunning and premise decent. After a couple of episodes, the whole thing starts to creek, the storyline becomes confused and strange. Then, episode by episode it gets worse until it's almost farcicle. Essentially it was an awful script, strange storyline and frankly unbelievable characters. Some of the storyline is just strange - not in a Donny Darko 'really makes you think' way, more of a 'what the heck was that about, humans don' t behave like that' way. What a waste of such excellent acting talent, who do their best to prop this up, but fail under the weight of such a poor story.

This really is pure pap despite the very good cast and the absolute beautiful location. The plot is so convoluted and contrived that half-way through the viewer basically gives up caring who killed who and why and replaces it with will I survive for six episodes. I did but I have no idea why other than to upset the wife who wanted to switch it off after two. As for Ioan Gruffudd, who plays the lead,, he basically plays exactly the same annoying character that he does in the Australian drama Harrow where he spends most of the time as a voice-over describing the plot twists to the dozing audience. Do yourself a favour and give this a miss!

Must have cost a lot of money to produce this series judged by set location and number of episodes. But I challenge anyone to actually care what happened to Vinca? By episode 3 haven't we all had enough of these snatched incomplete conversations where characters drop a bombshell of a line and they just walk off or drive off in their posh French car without being challenged as to explain further about what they have just said. Vinca just skips around in flashbacks in a most irritating way and that is another reason not to care what happened to her. In fact non of the characters are likeable with the exception of Manon. Not really worked out what ,if anything, her being pregnant adds to the storyline? Wouldn't have started watching it had I known the extent to which subtitles are used.

I was confused from the beginning. Too many time changes with too many characters before we had chance to work out who was who never mind who was the present day character and their younger self. There were name changes too which confused me even more. And don't get me started on the subtitles. Trying to read the subtitles whilst trying to work out whom is whom. The lovely scenery doesn't make up for the story being too complicated to follow. I'm so confused, were there two crimes or just one! I have no idea and to be honest, I don't care. Waste of time watching it when I was looking forward to my favourite type of mystery.

Gosh this is bad. Gave up after episode 1. I'm told that my initial review was too short but really there is nothing to say about this series. Just Bad. Atrocious. Waste of time. What is the sub-plot about? Couldn't waste my time by watching any more. *another 300 characters to go. Gosh this is tedious. I can't believe that any one watched all six episodes. Either a saint or a complete masochist. Sorry this review is going nowhere but so did this . I do however have one serious question, this is based on a novel, are any of the books by the author worth reading? If so which one or ones? Please post a reply.

I'm picky about what I watch and only found this by accident on the ITVX app - I started watching and was instantly drawn in by the story and ended up binge watching all six episodes.

While not a masterpiece or anything, I thought this was really good. Lots of twists and turns, good performances by all the actors and the pace was excellent. There's so much going on but never too much that it's overwhelming - lots of twists and turns and the final episode gives you everything you want to know. There is no stone left unturned - no major plot holes that I caught and I think the writers did a good job.

There's not many ratings on this site and only a small number of reviews, so don't be put off and give it a chance to form your own opinion.

7/10.

This was a 5/10 for me. The series generally seemed poorly made - infantile, even. The characters were all too often one-dimensional, the script was banal, and the storyline veered all over the place. The plot seemed more & more dramatic the longer the series went on - and not in the right way. It became more overwrought & less in control, the more episodes appeared. Keyed up in a bad way. Which was a shame, as the basic plot - the premise of the tale - is very intriguing.

I HAD - at the end of the first episode - been very drawn to the basic plotline. At that point I had thought I might at the end be giving the drama a 7 or 8 out of 10, if it continued at the standard I was seeing. But by the third episode my rating had dropped to a sad 6. And thereafter down to a 5. Such a shame. Maybe I will have to get a copy of the book from which the drama was adapted, & try that instead . . . It's by a best-selling author. It's such a tragedy to see a novel badly represented on screen.

It didn't help that the lead - Ioan Gruffudd - had cast as his parents, two British stalwarts in the acting world that I already knew/guessed were only a few years older than Gruffudd: the two actors looked much the same age as their on-screen 'son'! It was peculiarly disconcerting to watch. (Silver hair does NOT an old face make!) When I checked the two actors' actual age at IMDb, I found I was right: the 'mother' is only 2 years older that her 'son'! And even the 'father' actor is only older than Gruffudd by 10 years. This lack of careful casting was irritating: their ages made the interaction between the three 'family members'/actors seem unbelievable; even grotesque.

It seemed lazy, on the part of the production team, to give these two specific actors these roles, when they looked more like their 'son's' sister and brother! When laziness in casting comes into play like this, it is fairly certain that indolence will run into other aspects of the production . . . Which it did.

The lack of continuity between the scenes smacked of amateurism. Disconnected scenes were confusing. 'Ta-da!' moments didn't ring true. Information was missing that was required by a new viewer - a fatal storytelling flaw for viewers who don't already know key details of the plot. There was little explanation as to the motivation, of several characters, for their actions. At times the series seemed to have been written by 14-year-olds (. . . No offence intended to 14-year-olds!).

High dramatic ploys - such as evil Russian gangsters - were suddenly brought in & with no subtlety. Over-lingering by the camera on players' faces often made the programme feel more like a soap opera than a carefully put together prime-time drama. Little nuance was deployed at any time. Nearly all of the characters were only thinly developed, if at all.

This was a case of good actors wasting their talent in a poorly put together production.

Not even some good combined factors and craft work - the presence of several good players, clever camera shots, great scenery, and the lead (Gruffudd) doing a super job with the material he had - could make me enjoy this poor production. :-(

I finally realised I wanted to end my association at the end of the fourth episode, but had in fact already nigh-on tuned out during the previous episode. So I had deduced all the shortcomings & over-exaggeration of the production by the end of episode 4. That's two-thirds of the whole story to make me realise that, sadly, this is one of the few miniseries I just didn't want (read: couldn't bear!) to waste any more of my time on . . .

Even for a series of just 6 episodes, it wasn't worth the hours I'd spend watching the programme to the end.

But . . . I chose to persist in watching all of the 6 episodes. I just felt I had to commit to it, come what may. But, that being said, watching the last 2 episodes took me a hiatus of, first, a month, till I watched episode 5, then another month till I watched the last episode. That is, I had to stop watching the series for weeks, because dragging myself through each episode quite literally felt like my teeth were being pulled.

The only relief, after that last 4-week holiday, was finding that so much was explained in the last episode. This meant that the over-stylised melodramatic approach to the drama was almost lost amidst all the bare facts of the story. What joy! ,-)

So at least the solution of getting to the all-important final facts of the story - who did it, what exactly, & why?! - was relatively painless to live through.

But the overall sensation I got from the series was an inflated sense of self-worth by the production team. A preposterous style ruining a good story. An overwrought drama does not result in a GOOD TV drama. And this was several hours of my life I would like to have back!

The essence of the story - a team of friends, a conjoined educational setting in their past, secrets and lies, and its retro-leaning plot - reminded me rather of an excellent novel I read years ago: 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt. What a shame someone hasn't set THAT in celluloid, yet! . . . Pass it on, someone . . . !

Scenery and actors should have been a formula for success, unfortunately it didn't gel. From the disjointed beginning this looked like an bad mix--maybe they changed the script and directors every 20 minutes as a "new wave" in episodic drama. It felt like an editor came in with scissors and clipped all the good parts out.

The jumpy narrative only became more complicated as the story unfolded. I wish they'd have had a narrator dubbed in order to make sense of the action.

If you choose to waste your time here, try turning off the sound and guess the timeline of the action--it will be the only way you can justify your hours.

Sure, it's not high art but it's an enjoyable binge watch if you don't take it too seriously.

There is some really weird casting with strange age gaps and you do have to navigate the complete mess of the itv app to watch it (why so many adverts? Make it make sense) but once I'd watched the first ep I found myself caught up in the escapist glossy drama of it all and happily saw it through the end.

Some of the twists are completely bizarre- I'd love to know how close to the book this is.

Overall it's a fun watch and it's nice and escapist if you view it as entertaining background tv. The young cast were great- I think I'll read the book next.

Almost didn't watch this due to the low ratings. Really enjoyed this series, though sometimes over complicated. Just when you think you know what is going on, it takes a different turn, keeping you perplexed and confused, though that might just be me who always struggle to keep up (at least according to my wife). Loved the twists and turns throughout, which kept me wanting to watch the series. On the negative side some of the acting was a little unbelievable and it could have been 2 episodes shorter, to give it a bit more pace. It is definitely worth a watch, and then you can make your own decision.

Do not watch this. It is dreadful. It makes no sense. What happened to the book it's based on, how did that get published, who bought the rights and who on Earth finances this appallingly scripted, woefully edited, shambolic waste of everyone's time? There is not one redeeming factor or facet. I wish I could say something nice about any part of it but it is just lamentable tosh. The young versions of the characters are even worse than the older ones. I don't know how as they are truly irredeemable. The journalist is probably the worst character, but that accolade is hotly contested by absolutely everyone involved in this utter embarrassment.

This TV show was not very good.

The acting was not brilliant but in fairness to the actors the characters and dialogue were just so boring.

The main character (and everyone else) seems to be obsessed with the woman who disappeared but it's unrealistic because they haven't shown anything remotely interesting about her that would warrant such an obsession from this man and all the others.

This story didn't draw me in. It feels more like an ego trip created by a man who himself made more of some woman who he hardly knows but is obsessed with, probably, based on how she looks.

Boring, silly, doesn't make sense and the characters are flat and uninteresting.

So SO awful it was almost funny. Every contrived character going, with the, quelle surprise, beautiful yet unattainable student, Vinca. After the utterly ridiculous scene where he knocks on the door of Vincas old room and the student there now has a shrine to vinca... and then puts on a red wig and tries to seduce him.... Hahah as IF. Deleted all the episodes after that...utter rubbish. A shame as such a good cast, but another laughable bit is the fact that Dirva Kerwin is cast as Thomas's mother... what... she's the same age as him in real life. So many ridiculous plot holes and cheesy script meant I literally couldn't watch anymore.

I do understand why this gets only a 4,9. It is not made 'The American Way'. It's an European production, which is completely different.

Americans can not watch a movie or series which isn't 'Hollywood' style.

This series shows the problem with American audience.

The story is a bit complicated with several twists, so difficult to understand.

Acting is great, scenes are good and the storyline is interesting.

Ofcourse it's not for the Marvel, Avengers, ... audience. No actors is stretchpants doing stuff that is impossible.

If you are fond of a real story with real people and their issues, dealing with their consequences of their behavior in the past, then this series is something for you.

I had high hopes for this given some of the cast - who may be down on their uppers and therefore taken these roles to raise a bit of cash and their profile

Its really not that great to follow. One minute it seems to be set in London and the next (and mostly) France. Perhaps I missed something I dont know and there lies the problem.

I thought it was 4 episodes and was willing it to end and I thought at end of episode 3 (bored out of my mind) "well its over at the next episode" - so I watched it and alas only then did I discover there are 6 episodes in total (sleep emoji)

Well I decided to carry on regardless but boy it never got any better. I am nearly at end of episode 5 and dont expect it to get any more interesting. If it does I will come back here and amend it.

Started watching this and we gave up after about 25 minutes. Great location but ridiculous cutting between 25 years ago and the present, hollow dialogue, cliche ridden script. Weird because there are some good actors in this and it looks like an expensive European co production. In the end it was so bad it was hilarious. I strongly suggest that you don't watch this as it is one of the worst things I've seen all year. I suggest reading a great book or maybe writing one rather than watching this.not really sure what Gregory Fitoussi, Ioan Gruffudd, Dervla Kerwin et al we're doing in this but I'd like to have seen them in something far better.

Watched this earlier in the year and just finished watching again in a 2 day session to while away the time between games in the Women's World Cup and have to say we really enjoyed this breezy, glamorous and crazy bit of TV. Thought it was brave and interesting to present the story as a whydunnit - you know from almost the very start that Ioan and his friend killed one of their teachers but the story then spun into unexpected directions that took us pleasingly by surprise.

The whole thing has a kind of surreal feel to it and there's definitely shortcomings - as others mentioned Rupert Graves playing Ioan's dad is whack (as they look kind of the same age), and like all these euro programmes it is be a bit bumpy and awkward when actors don't speak in their own language and don't get me started on the weird mad group of young women (hetradites?) who run around stalking Ioan, but there are some great moments and performances. My partner who was watching for the first time was transported by the Ukrainian actor playing the missing young woman Vinca and Dervla Kirwan was a revelation to me - I thought she came into her own so strongly in the later episodes and I really enjoyed watching the French actress playing the pregnant cop. In fact the whole thing got stronger as it went and the intrigue deepened, maybe as we got used to the accents and the feel of the directing style.

Anyway, long and short, The Reunion is a good entertaining crime story and we might even rewatch again when winter draws in to get another blast of sunshine!

This show frankly upsets me as a human being. I take three days off of my job to watch this utter nonsense. I'm crying right now and I hope that really tells you how utterly awful this show was. As I was watching I felt incredibly apologetic towards those who, like myself, had taken time out of their busy lives in order to watch this fantastic four spinoff. Absolutely atrocious. Wasn't expecting this to be so bad coming from a company as prolific as MGM. Incredibly disappointed. Wish I could have read some reviews on IMDB beforehand to save myself the trouble. Please don't waste your time and energy.

Hardly know where to start! No depth to characters, clunky dialogue, no chemistry between characters, FAR too long, etc., etc. Watching Ioan Gruffud trying to summon up some emotion was like pulling teeth. So wooden, you've have got splinters just by shaking hands with half the actors. I made it through the first two episodes then gave up, but then was forced to sit through another three by my daughter. HOURS of my life I'll never get back! This story could have been told far more succinctly in three episodes, had another screenwriter taken it on. I don't ever leave reviews, but this made me take to my keyboard.

Suitable for the vacation season, the 6-part thriller miniseries takes us to the dreamlike backdrop of the French Cote d'Azur. The very first images invite us to indulge, while cheerful young people ride down the winding streets on a scooter, with lens flare of the setting sun in the camera to the romantic view of the coast. That was in 1997, only 25 years later Tomas, who is now a writer, receives an invitation to a class reunion from a mysterious woman who looks very much like his great love Vinca, who also disappeared 25 years ago.

At first I thought I pretty much knew what to expect from there on. The title of the series, as well as the brief synopsis, let me conclude to know exactly what's coming. But far from it, I was very pleasantly surprised. Because here we have no simple story, but it unfolds more and more new pieces of the puzzle, which lead to a more complex plot. In each episode a new mystery is revealed and you are drawn deeper into the character development and plot and you are left with a cliffhanger that you keep watching to find out what it's all about. The narrative structure jumps back and forth between the events of that time with those in the present in a clear manner. In this way, you get to know the characters from then and now more and more, with their fears, weaknesses, passions and motivations.

In the time of the 90s we have a nice sound, a mixture of indie, cafe del mar, always a slight summer melancholy. I also really liked the look, without too much retro, but still with a certain freshness.

The many twists and surprises kept me interested from beginning to end, so that I watched this miniseries in one evening. However, you should bring a certain amount of attention, because there are many people who play an important role.

In the end, the big picture emerges, which for me everything was understandable, but in no way predictable.

Exciting entertainment until the end guaranteed.

------------- Conclusion: Excellent - against a picturesque backdrop, with a touch of summer feeling, you get a multi-layered thriller, with a dreamy soundtrack and many twists.