Save Me [DVD]

The highly respected Lennie James is the driving force behind this gritty drama - as well as taking the lead role he is an Executive Producer and scripts five of the six episodes but this is by no means a "vanity production". Other reviewers have described the plot in some detail so there's no need for further exposition from me but I would like to praise Lennie James for making the character of "Nelly" Rowe so interesting as he doggedly pursues his search for the daughter he didn't initially know that he had and hadn't had any contact with for many years. The support cast all perform well (Stephen Graham as a paedophile who struggles with his past is particularly impressive) and it's not often that Suranne Jones gets the opportunity to portray the distraught mother of the missing girl without descending into caricature.The South London depicted here with it's shabby pubs cafes and seedy drinking clubs where nefarious deals are hatched (I particularly liked the red table lamps used in one such establishment - redolent of the decor in similar clubs back in the 1960's) is a million miles away from the "touristy view" of the capital adopted by many other programmes. Even Streatham and Surbiton looked pretty down at heel.Lennie James can be justifiably proud of this production and one hopes that by issuing the DVD it will reach a wider audience than that on Sky Atlantic which it deserves to do. I will be looking forward to Season 2.The Extras comprise Behind The Scenes and Picture Gallery. Subtitles are English only.

I like Lennie James in many of the things I have seen him in - and this is no exception. I couldn't watch this programme when it was first broadcast in the UK as it was on one of the Sky channels not available on Virgin Media (who provide my TV service) but I saw from the reviews that it could be something I would enjoy. It exceeded my expectations. It is a gritty London under-class drama and the background theme (paedophilic exploitation of young teenagers) might be too dark for some people's tastes. But it has the ring of truth (at least as much as any drama does) and the setting was interesting for me as I grew up in Lewisham. The supporting cast was very strong with Stephen Graham and Struan Rodger giving powerful performances. Unexpected plot twist at the end too.

This is a story in which the main theme is full of tension but there are also well thought out other serious concerns. The acting by the principles is excellent, with special mention for their outstanding performances for Lennie James (the author of the drama) and Suranne Jones (who is so good, in everything that she does, one could almost get the full impact if the sound failed, as her face and gestures tell it all, or the picture failed as her voice conveys every emotion and nuance).

Brilliant series. I bought the second series as soon as I'd watched the first. Can't wait for the third. Top marks Lennie James.

What a disappointment. After a tense opening episode when we were introduced to a number of potentially interesting characters, the focus was almost entirely on Nelly, played by Lennie James. It soon became bogged down as the police investigation was ignored as was the underworld involvement of Claire's husband. It could have been contained in fewer crisply edited episodes. We kept going to the end where there was a twist of sorts but really it just sort of petered out, leaving a thread hanging for a second series perhaps?-I hope not!

Not a bad drama, but a one watch drama for sure, having now seen it, it's not a keeper so no real need to own on DVD. I can't see me watching it again, but once through was worth a look.

Wow what can I say .. watched all 6 episodes very powerful suspense drama but what happened at the end it wasn’t her ! Would love to see part 2 ! Lennie is a bloody good actor

Excellent