Things I have noticed #2

Way back in the mid-1980s, BBC television broadcast an excellent six episode drama Edge of Darkness. The story surrounds an investigation by a Yorkshire police officer, brilliantly portrayed by Bob Peck, into the murder of his daughter, an anti-nuclear campaigner played by Joanne Whalley. I will not spoil any more of the plot, lest you get the chance to watch this tense political thriller.

The series' director, Martin Campbell, recently remade the story, giving it the full Hollywood treatment. This movie version stars Mel Gibson and is re-set in America. If only these were the only changes. Whereas the original was a gentle paced exploration of secret governments and government secrets, judging by the trailers and the movie poster, the remake is a gung-ho action thriller. Needless to say I will not be going to the local cineplex to see it; rather, I will watch the 1985 classic version, and I suggest that you do the same.

I have to wonder what we might see next, now that the Hollywood studios have completely run out of original ideas: a remake of The Beiderbecke Affair as a soporific romantic comedy set in Chicago, starring Ben Stiller and Sarah Silverman?