Several thoughts come to mind fairly early on while watching this show on a first time viewing. Unfortunately, all bad things. I'm not sure what hit me first, the cringe-worthy, terrible acting, or the awful script.
In its defense, a lot of actors/actresses in this are quite young, and everyone has to start somewhere. However, i almost find that statement too kind as i wonder if some of them will ever develop an ability to act as it's already starting at such a poor non-existent standard.
In saying this, i can't say much positive or hopeful comments about the older, presumably more experienced cast such as the father/magazine owner character. This guy needs to think of ulterior methods of employment, away from anything remotely related to acting.
And now on to other issues. The directing and writing of this show was a tacky cesspit of clichés and uncreative stereotypical techniques and elements. Some of these made it hard to watch to a toe-curling extent. A good example of what i am referring to is the likes of the typical rebellious angst-ridden teenager portrayed through the character of the youngest daughter. Every time a scene cut to her character, she displayed a face which quite obviously directly reflected a director telling her "show some attitude, GRRR be angry!" and some techno style music would play, as if to reflect the music of a young angry person with an attitude. How disgustingly obvious!
There are also a barrage of other stereotypical issues touched upon that are obviously blatant and miserable ways to make the whole thing seem 'topical'. A lame attempt to raise modern day issues in a way that has already been completely done to death. If you're looking for examples; the father owns a top shelf 'lads mag' that raises the usual sexist issues, his daughter becomes influenced by it so as to give him a 'taste of his own medicine', underage girls becoming exposed and influenced by sexual behavior and the usual moral dilemma's that ensue, oh and not to mention... how do these lad mags change impressionable teenagers idea of a beautiful body and what lengths will they go to in order to copy the catwalk image?! YAWN. Just watch an episode of Trisha or Jeremy Kyle if you are really still oblivious to these media saturated issues.
It all gave the entire duration of the show a student film, unprofessional vibe that resembled a class assignment handed in by someone studying a media course in college. If i was the teacher of such a course i would have rated it quite averagely even at that standard.
On a side note, i did research this enough to discover the director is none other than one 'Jennifer Perrott', also responsible for directing such TV gems as 'Doctors' and 'Hollyoaks'. Not surprising as these are two of the worst shows to ever grace the silver screen - and 'Stacked' came across as just another episode!
P.S Sorry for any 'Spoilers', trust me, it ain't spoiled much more than it already is to begin with. The only regret i have in this review is the time i wasted on 'Stacked' by writing it.
