Talking Heads 2

My comment is restricted to the episode (one of six in the series) called "Waiting for the Telegram" with Thora Hird, as it is the only one I've seen. I had taped it and planned to watch it for ten minutes before going out. I couldn't turn it off, and by the end I was sobbing loudly enough to disturb the neighbours. After half an hour of listening to one actress speaking, I had new insight into WWI, the AIDS epidemic and its effect on young men today (paralleled tacitly, but unmistakeably, to the decimating effect of war on youth), and the effects of age, disability, and loneliness.

I have since bought and read the book of the series (worth it for the author's introduction alone), and was too disturbed to sleep afterwards, particularly by the episode with Julie Walters. I will be getting the complete series on video as soon as possible and recommending it to everyone in the entire world.

Watch this for profound insight into the human condition. Not easy, but worth it. Alan Bennett is a genius.