I really enjoyed this comedy series better in France than in England. Maybe they can bring their show to America! If only BBC made more episodes per season like the United States, I would gladly campaign for that idea. The British make better comedies than we Americans do. First, I didn't see their previous series, Fresh Fields, with cast members Ann Beach as neighbor Sonia, Hester's mom played by Fanny Rowe, and Hester's dad played by Ballard Berkeley. Anyway, this show is better in the French version as the Fields get used to life in France. The Fields are played by veterans Julia McKenzie and Anton Rodgers (another two possible British honorees). Julia's Hester is quite lovable but I wish she would sing because she has a phenomenal singing voice that she is also known for her work in West End musicals. Anton is better known for his other series, May to December.
6 Reviews
Pales when compared to Fresh Fields
FlushingCaps28 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
My wife and I have gone through the entire Fresh Fields series this year (on DVDs borrowed from my sister) and are mostly done with the follow-up series where they moved to France, title French Fields.
We think the series set in England was hilarious, with many episodes deserving of a 10 (out of 10) score. Sadly, the shows in France are not nearly as funny.
William and Hester are still good and there are a few good laughs in almost every episode. Their relationship was wonderful in both series. But their French neighbors, plus the annoying English couple, are not nearly as funny as Sonia and Guy and Nancy. The situations are not nearly as good as the ones in England.
One thing that drags it down is the too-lengthy dialog in French, where we just sit waiting for the translation. Madame Remoleux was not funny, just annoying, as she seemed to just wander about their house messing everything up and mumbling in what sounded like French, but none of the French people could understand her either.
Half way through, Hester got a non-paying job teaching young children English one day a week. I remember some scenes of her working with the kids, who were fine and the way she interacted with them was nice--but it just wasn't funny.
The shows as Fresh Fields, in England, combine to equal one U.S. season of one of the funniest shows ever--not top five, but truly excellent. When they switched to England it became a "watchable" comedy, somewhat funny but not memorable at all.
We think the series set in England was hilarious, with many episodes deserving of a 10 (out of 10) score. Sadly, the shows in France are not nearly as funny.
William and Hester are still good and there are a few good laughs in almost every episode. Their relationship was wonderful in both series. But their French neighbors, plus the annoying English couple, are not nearly as funny as Sonia and Guy and Nancy. The situations are not nearly as good as the ones in England.
One thing that drags it down is the too-lengthy dialog in French, where we just sit waiting for the translation. Madame Remoleux was not funny, just annoying, as she seemed to just wander about their house messing everything up and mumbling in what sounded like French, but none of the French people could understand her either.
Half way through, Hester got a non-paying job teaching young children English one day a week. I remember some scenes of her working with the kids, who were fine and the way she interacted with them was nice--but it just wasn't funny.
The shows as Fresh Fields, in England, combine to equal one U.S. season of one of the funniest shows ever--not top five, but truly excellent. When they switched to England it became a "watchable" comedy, somewhat funny but not memorable at all.
still a cute addition
timmauk12 January 2001
When Hester and William Fields moved out to France, I didn't know what to expect. After all, they were leaving her mom Nancy and neighbor Sonja behind. But after I got over that, I did still find it a cute show. Not as funny and endearing, but there were several shows that still matched their old classic style.
Now you saw more of their daughter and son-in-law and met their crazy French neighbors, no Sonja in the lot though. The last show of the series was fantastic and involved everyone. A fitting farewell to another great Brit-com.
Now you saw more of their daughter and son-in-law and met their crazy French neighbors, no Sonja in the lot though. The last show of the series was fantastic and involved everyone. A fitting farewell to another great Brit-com.
Not dated well
evans-154751 March 2019
Just rewatched this and fresh fields and this hasn't held up half as well as fresh fields,odd French people, word translation misunderstandings just aren't funny anymore,it feels like they had the idea of going to France but didn't think out what to do with them,the only thing I remembered from watching it when it first came out was fancying the sexy French neighbour but even she wasn't as exciting as I remembered !!
Great series
kezar-9918526 September 2020
Same but different...
maxcellus461 February 2022
William is offered a lucrative position in France but he & Hester would have to leave England & move to France. Decisions, decisions.
Overall, this is a great series which presents a lot of new comedic situations especially given the 'ol "fish out of water" scenario.
My only real concern is why no attempt was made to bring back at least one or two of the characters from the original series.
Picture this, William & Hester are sat down having a nice quiet Sunday morning breakfast when all of a sudden someone knocks at the door then enters with those immortal words, "It's only Sonia." That would have made for a great scene, weeks into this second series.
Otherwise a most enjoyable series with the most likeable & funny characters. ENJOY!
Overall, this is a great series which presents a lot of new comedic situations especially given the 'ol "fish out of water" scenario.
My only real concern is why no attempt was made to bring back at least one or two of the characters from the original series.
Picture this, William & Hester are sat down having a nice quiet Sunday morning breakfast when all of a sudden someone knocks at the door then enters with those immortal words, "It's only Sonia." That would have made for a great scene, weeks into this second series.
Otherwise a most enjoyable series with the most likeable & funny characters. ENJOY!
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