Review of Brookside: Unfinished Business

Introduction

This soap special ties up the loose ends of the plot covering the death of Tim O` Leary`s wife and what happened to the killer-mad drug dealer Terry Gibson.

Commencing in familiar Liverpool surroundings the story picks up the two characters Tim O` Leary and his friend Steve Murray who run a stretch limousine hire business. Tanya is introduced with a friend called Kelly and big credit card debts. Her friend Kelly is a prostitute and Tanya thinks she will try going `on the game` as a way of paying off her debts.

Lured to Wales by her first client, she is instructed to pick up a limo driven by Tim and Steve. It seems the whole trip is an elaborate trap.

The ensuing night is an orgy of violence as the drug- crazed Terry seeks to finish off the boys. Tanya caught in the middle joins with the lads as they try to make their escape.

Video

It moves from one dreary locations in Liverpool to the Welsh forests and contrives to make those look dreary as well.

Shot in various modes. Some digital effects and lots of panning helicopter shots for no other reason that they had a helicopter for the day and wanted to get their money`s worth.

Audio

Nothing spectacular to report on this. It was adequate with clear dialogue.

Features

The commentary is by the two lead characters and they enjoy chatty reminiscences about the several weeks shooting in the Welsh forest. Yes it took several weeks though looking at it I`m amazed it didn`t take an afternoon with a home movie camera.

Also featured is a trailer for the next special featuring Barry Grant and his revenge against Damon`s killers. This is so dire it has the virtue of making `Unfinished Business` look professional.

Behind the Scenes Documentary

Interviews with cast

Story So far-potted summary of what lead up to this point in the story. Pointless unless you have been following it anyway.

Brookside 10 of the Best

The Top Ten Moments predictably the girly kiss and the murder of Trevor. It made me realise how much time I had saved in my life by not watching the programme.

Photo Gallery
Ooh!

Conclusion

Let me state my case. I used to be a big fan. When Brookside started in 1982 on the new and shiny Channel 4 it was a complete groundbreaker. It became compulsive viewing for a new generation of soap watchers.

Brookside has been with us a long time but breathed its last on terrestrial television in early November. So what of its new incarnation on DVD?

Well, this particular DVD episode sinks to a new low altogether. It seems to be proud of its `adult` content consisting of a couple of spurious not-quite sex scenes and a woman parading in her underwear. Do not waste a moment of your life watching it. I can spare you the trouble.

This is truly dire and I would get down on my knees and beg you not to buy it. Even if you are a fan of Brookside let me tell you do not waste your money. They will be selling them in the pound shops soon enough. Go, get out and get a life away from this brain polluting stuff, please.

Did I mention it is demeaning to women, men and human intelligence? I think you can tell I really didn`t like this.