Together reviews: ‘an absolute wonder’
Sharon Horgan and James McAvoy give it ‘their understated all’ in BBC2’s feature-length drama
Directed by Stephen Daldry, BBC2’s feature-length drama takes an “unflinching” look at a middle-class couple, identified only as “She” (Sharon Horgan) and “He” (James McAvoy), who must confront issues they have hitherto ignored as they sit out the pandemic in suburbia, said Ed Cumming in The Independent. Alternating between dialogues and monologues in which both characters break the fourth wall, it’s claustrophobic but compelling – and sometimes very funny.
Together is “an absolute wonder”, said Lucy Mangan in The Guardian. Dennis Kelly’s script perfectly captures not only the stresses of lockdown, but the “emotional dilapidations” of a dying relationship, and Horgan and McAvoy give it “their understated all”.
Their chemistry is superb, agreed Sarah Carson in The i Paper – she wickedly sharp, he cheeky and gleefully arrogant. The script brims with “dazzling” one-liners as it weaves together pain and silliness, hatred and truth; it is also ferociously political. Horgan’s seven-minute monologue in which she describes her mother’s death in a care home was perhaps the greatest performance of her career. As someone who had suffered a similar loss, “I had to stop watching and weep”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It’s “almost impossible” to dislike Horgan and McAvoy, says Katie Rosseinsky in the London Evening Standard. However, it’s hard not to feel like this project “would have been more at home on the stage than the screen”.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A speaker courageous enough to stand up to the extremists in his own party'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
How could the Supreme Court's Fischer v. US case impact the other Jan 6. trials including Trump's?
Today's Big Question A former Pennsylvania cop might hold the key to a major upheaval in how the courts treat the Capitol riot — and its alleged instigator
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 18, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - impeachment Peanuts, record-breaking temperatures, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Aitch or haitch: the linguisitic debate that 'matters a lot'
Talking Point 'University Challenge' host Amol Rajan has promised to change the way he pronounces the letter 'H'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Secret Army: the IRA propaganda film forgotten for almost 50 years
Why Everyone's Talking About 'Chilling' BBC documentary reveals how US TV crew documented the inner workings of paramilitary group in 1970s
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Inseparable Sisters: uplifting BBC documentary about conjoined twins
The Week Recommends A 'refreshingly human and optimistic' portrayal that balances reality with positivity
By The Week UK Published
-
Annie Nightingale obituary: the trailblazing DJ who was Radio 1's longest-serving presenter
Obituary The first female DJ on BBC Radio 1, Nightingale paved the way for Annie Mac, Jo Whiley, Zoe Ball, Sara Cox and many more
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published