User reviews

I was a bit nervous about The A Word, I anticipated that the BBC would not pass up the chance to get preachy. Fortunately they (mostly) resisted that temptation - the autism's main role is to stir up an already complex web of family relationships, and The A Word follows the response to that perturbation in the same way as say Mike Leigh does (without getting that miserable). So the autistic son plays an oddly peripheral role, not least because he shuts us out as viewers as well as his parents; the core of the drama revolves around his parents trying to cope with him and trying to present a happy, "normal" facade. I'm no expert on how families cope with that sort of thing, but there seemed to be some truth in their response, even if you could quibble with the detail.

And it's just nice to have a "serious" drama these days that isn't trying to find a Nordic murderer...

I think they got the length just about right - I'm not sure I could have stuck with 26 episodes of the original Israeli version, but there was enough room for most of the subplots to "breathe" without outstaying their welcome. The exceptions were both on the business side - it felt like the original script had an interesting subplot about control of the brewery that was butchered until it barely made sense, and ditto about the development of the pub. Another half an hour would have cracked it - but both could be developed in a second series.

Oh, and I'd disagree that a microbrewery and a glorified burger van make you "rich". The brewery looked like it was around 15 barrels capacity, so one step up from a "starter" microbrewery, the kind you would have after a few years trading and perhaps some awards that got you recognition beyond the local area - that would describe Coniston brewery, which I assume is where it was filmed? But you don't get "rich" off that kind of setup. If they were rich, they wouldn't be converting a derelict barn in the middle of nowhere to turn into a pub, they'd be buying an existing pub (of which there are plenty for sale in the Lakes). It's true that the BBC "Waitrosed" their home life but in terms of income they're on a similar level to people with a burger van and a back street boozer in the inner city.

Very good show, presenting a side of the Autism spectrum and the challenges parents and the community face. I also like the way the show deals with controlling people, and how controlling and self-centered people have an extremely hard time trying to control the Autistic, who in turn refuse to play their games.

No-one does TV drama like the BBC. The Americans do it very well, but not in the same way. But no-one gets it so annoyingly, irritating, piously and awkwardly wrong like the BBC either.

Let's get the good one out of the way first - the writing by Peter Bowker in The A Word is stunning. It brings to life the complexities of a family challenged by the sinking realism that their beautiful son has autism. The direction and photography and sense of place is spot on. Sometimes it's the little touches that make a difference. I'm sure a continuity anorak like me, but with more detailed knowledge of the English Lakes, will tell you what's wrong, but I liked the fact that they nip to Lancaster. You do, when you live up there. A lazier writer would have looked at a map and sent them to Penrith.

Apart from poor Joe, the 5 year old at the centre of the story, but always on the edge of it, the characters all drive you mad. Well, families do, don't they? Sometimes they work it out and sometimes they can't.

I hesitated before watching it, so I've binged on it this week. I don't need a TV drama to know what effect a child with profound special educational and emotional needs has on a family. It's uncomfortable, the shock, the stages of comprehension and the allowances you make are all there. But more than anything is the love, protective sometimes,irrational, confused and flawed, but real love. There are times I've hid behind the sofa in a way I haven't since Doctor Who, as there are reactions and emotions on display that ring too true. I read somewhere that it didn't speak a truth about one reviewer's autistic brother. Maybe so, but that's not the point. It didn't try to be the last word on autism any more than it is about the tensions of succession in family businesses.

The real skill is that actually, really, nothing much is happening. It's just the stuff of life. I don't crave realism - I'm addicted to the Walking Dead afterall - but this is where The A Word is bang on. I've sat at a bus stop in a rural Northern village with my schoolfriends and then watched a scene in The A Word and gone, yes, that works for me. I've seen teachers tip-toe around issues and I know how hard it is to fight for extra support. Yes, all good.

At the end of it all though it's the writing. You can create the most fantastic high concept of a story but without character you can believe in, then it's sunk.

Wonderful programme, wonderfully acted, wonderful locations, a tour de force. This review is almost necessarily short as I can only find superlatives to write about all the above and a special superlative for the beautiful script. Superb in every way.

I have just binge watched the three series over the past few days. Couldn't stop watching it. It was so well acted by all. So believable. Some of the other reviews were pretentious twaddle and over analytical why watch a series if you are only giving it a low score there is such a thing as the off button.

This serie is amazing! I'm working with autistic people and I can tell you that it is spot on! (from the autistic behaviours to the special schools and carers) Though, this is not a serie about an autistic kid (like atypical which is about a teenager boy), but it's more about how a family struggles, succeeds, fails, and evolve with a child who is different. The acting is really good, from the kids to the grow-ups (especially Christopher Eccleston). The choice of the songs are also great! I was expecting a fourth season, but I can see on IMDB that it's not going to happen...

Of the different families. Maurice is my favorite but the rest of them run him a close second. I didn't know there were additional series so I just started watching the latest one. The daughter situation sounds promising. I've never had daily contact with someone on the the spectrum so I'm learning a lot about that. Thanks a million Sundance for a very entertaining and education show. A followup - episode 5 (Nov 23) was one of the best ever.

To see season 3. I waited a lot for it. Honestly, " Maurice" character is priceless, he had more screen time in ep 1 from season 3, and I enjoyed every second. Kudos for who is writing his lines, and he is playing great.

The show has an overall great mix of drama, comedy, romance and a bit of crime. The actor of joe is very convincing and isn't just a spoilt child who was picked from stage school. The drama is great as well as the developed characters in the show, the musical score is awesome as well as the scenery. It never rains, advertising for the Lake District? Good amount of comedy and mostly a good drama overall.

Season 1 was fantastic but the next two seasons just kept dragging on. One hour is too long for an episode; there were times where I was like "this is a great scene to end with" and I look at the duration and there's twenty minutes left. The direction of romantic relationships in this show doesn't make sense to me either.

It is a brilliant show both season 1 and 2. But I hate the way the parents moan about Joe's autism they talk about him like he has AIDS or something. No wonder he saw it as such a bad thing there are people out there worse then Joe. And I do see a positive outcome for Joe I know we seen the odd autistic behavior here and there and if Joe gets the right treatment by time the third series airs if there will be one his condition mightn't even be copped. I mean who will be the next one to complain about Joe's autism in series 3? The sister, the uncle or the granddad. But his parents should see more of his abilities. The mother was in denial in the first series then in the second his dad was , they didn't accept his condition the father definitely doesn't his mother has came to terms with it. I notice the relationship between Joe and his father has never been the same since they found out I reckon when Joe slapped his father across the face the parents probably thought he would be still like that when he's a teenager The worst he would be is moderately autistic. He's a lovely , cute, happy, little boy and it's a shame his dad thinks it's the end of the world to be honest no parent should look down on their child even if they don't a condition. Parents are out there to give their children good advice they're not there to be cried about unless something genuinely bad happened . Roll on series 3 and I will be looking forward to see it whenever it airs on TV.

Can't believe it took me so long to review 'The A Word', due to being behind with what to review with being busy and slowing down a little. Actually have not watched the BBC that regularly for a few years now, with it no longer showing primary school education programmes and being populated with shows past their sell by date, wastes of potential and very politically biased presenting and news. There is every now and then a gem with a tough subject that hits home with me and done in a way that is relatable and emotionally investable.

'The A Word' was one of those gems. As someone who is autistic, it really resonated with me, moved me, entertained me and illuminated throughout. Personally think it deserves the praise it gets, with programmes in general that explore autism and Aspergers generally not getting enough credit for even trying to address it and spread more awareness for a condition that has so many misconceptions, generalisations and ignorance directed at it. And don't agree about it being dragged out, Season 3 may not have been quite as strong as the previous two but it was only because the previous ones were so good.

First and foremost, for me the acting was one of the main reasons as to why 'The A Word' worked so well with everybody giving never less than fine performances. With particular praise going to Max Vento, who succeeds in creating a very relatable and fully rounded character in a way that balances comic timing and pathos remarkably expertly. And to Christopher Eccleston, who has hilarious comic timing and often has the best lines.

Actually had no problem with the way the characters were written, sure they are flawed and don't always handle difficult situations particularly well but their portrayals and dynamics for me were very relatable. Could see a lot of myself as a primary school student in Joe and some of his situations were like reliving some of my childhood, which made me more understanding of my issues while being painful to watch in particularly difficult scenarios. Could also see my parents in Joe's parents, and the decisions they made and their feelings (which were as complex and as tough for them) were more understandable through young adult eyes and less confused. 'The A Word' came over to me as a realistic and relatable portrait of how difficult autism is and how it affects not just the person with it but also the family and community to educational and poignant effect.

Refreshing after seeing films and television programmes covering conditions and relevant themes and only skim the surface without showing the full extent (ie. Seeing how it affects the primary person going through it but nowhere near as much with how it affects those around them, like 'Still Alice' and the portrayal of Alzheimers). The family relationships are complex, but it didn't come over as contrived for this viewer and they were intelligently handled.

It is a beautifully made show, with scenery that makes one want to book a holiday there, and the music doesn't overbear or feel overdone. The script balances the comedic and the serious expertly with no jarring tone changes, crudeness or over sentimentality. Maurice has plenty of lines that made me laugh out loud, while many scenes were heartfelt and thought probing.

Overall, wonderful and for me one of the BBC's best dramas in a while. 10/10.

Love every moment of this serie. Realistic and touching. Third season has been much better than expected.

This is it!...this is the blueprint to all dramas of the universe...this is how a drama should be made...this is the prototype...

This show is perfect...it's superb...it's stupendous...it's fantastic...

the most surprising thing about this show...is the rating on iMdb...the rating is a joke...but then I've come to realize that all British tv shows aren't accurately rated...either too high or too low...this show's rating is waaay too low...criminally low...if it's not an American show...don't trust the rating...

This show balances plot story character...in a way that I've not seen done before...most shows don't get this balance at all...one has to suffer...not here though...

it handles the subplots soo masterfully...i am as interested in the subplots just as much as the main plot...in the world of cinema...this is known as a double miracle...it almost NEVER happens...it's a legend passed on for generations...

i am soo interested in the story...i care about all the characters...i swear...ALL the characters...in most dramas there's usually throwaway characters...not this show...i don't know how to stress this...

the writing is perfect...the pacing fantastic...the cinematography is subtle but pairs very well with the story...

it does have flaws though...for one it's only sn1 that's superb...the rest not so much...and this is a story with a very short span...I'm not going to want to keep seeing this for 12 episodes and beyond...it's impossible...

there's issues with dialogue some times...plausibility of character's actions...questionable motivations...but the shows rises above this...

great show...sn1 is a must watch for anyone and everyone...

What was a semi-watchable programme has now become a soap opera with the usual cringeworthy dialogue and cliches. There are interesting moments interspersed with mind-numbingly boring scenes.

Most of the characters are unlikable. The male characters are mostly spineless simps, while the female characters are harridans. Christopher Eccleston's character is the main point of interest. In the open he is a macho man, but in the presence of his nagging girlfriend, even he becomes jelly.