Without You (2011–2012) User Reviews

The obvious reason is never the real reason

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 23 December 2011]

This three part drama starts with Ellie Manning learning that her apparently devoted husband Greg has been killed in a car crash along with a woman called Milena. Ellie doesn't know Milena and as her husband had claimed to be at work it looks as if he was probably having an affair. The police, Ellie's friends and even Milena's husband seems to think that; the only person that thinks there must be some other explanation is Ellie. She sets about discovering exactly what Greg was going each day in the weeks up to his death. It looks like she has found a way to find out what Milena had been up to as well when she talks her way into getting a job where she used to work; things soon take a sinister twist though! This makes Ellie's life even harder and causes suspicions to be raised about her behaviour.

While one knows that in series like this the obvious reason for something happening is never the actual reason it was enjoyable finding out just what had happened. Anna Friel did a pretty good job as Ellie; the rest of the cast were good enough but it was definitely her show. The story and some good twists and turns along the way and one or two shocks… I certainly didn't expect the event at the end of the second episode! As the end approached and we learnt who was behind the events I wasn't too surprised; although I hadn't guessed the motive and there wasn't exactly a large number of suspects to begin with. Over all I was pleased that I had decided to watch this; it passed the time nicely, providing a good mystery and some tense moments.

Spectacular police incompetence and an implausible action

[jling-984-757018 · 7/10 · 25 April 2014]

It is unbelievable that the police would not investigate the possibility that the 'accident' was not such at all. Having seen so many forensic examinations in other TV series I find it difficult to explain why no such investigation took place in this case. The fact that there was no evidence linking the victims should have raised at least a doubt as to whether the accident was staged. Moreover, the demeanour of the officer at the inquest in the presence of grieving family, etc. was unbelievable.

The later stages of the plot depend on Frances not revealing the name of her (and Milena's) lover to Ellie (alias Gwyneth). She did not appear to have any reason for not naming someone who would from her point of view be completely unknown to Ellie. Had she done so, the whole thing would have been tied up immediately.

This is one of those series where I feel that the earlier stages of the plot become questionable once the final outcome is reached.

Logic must be suspended.

[sinclair-64549 · 6/10 · 16 August 2022]

I just wanna shake them all. This is actually on PBS with the original title from the novel, "What to Do When Someone Dies". I found the premise interesting, but Ellie's logic sometimes failed me. What bothered me the most was all her bullying friends! They were yelling at her to get over it, stop what she's doing, do this do that. God, I'd throw them all out of my house and not be friends any longer! It's like many other shows where you logically know what should be done, but logic needs to be suspended so the drama can flow. But really, she comes across as so very weak. It's annoying. And dang, they drink a LOT.

Good story but Simply too long

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 11 December 2013]

I watched this as a 2 part DVD. Hopefully it's the same thing as the 3 parter. I'm quite fond Anna Friel, and was interested in seeing what this is about. It's a 140 minute mini-series which is probably better as a 100 minute movie.

The biggest problem school teacher Ellie (Anna Friel) has is getting pregnant. However when she's told that her husband is killed in a car crash with some strange woman, she has to re-evaluate her life. Only the more she digs into the incident, the more she refuses to believe that her husband was having an affair.

This is not that original. The general route of the story was obviously telegraphed from the start. It was never in much doubt that the story would unfold in that way. It may be the power of Anna Friel that her character was never challenged competently. Either that or the writing never allow the other characters to sound reasonable as they keep opposing her. This movie needs to struggle more with her investigation. And the movie is just too long. It's unnecessary for such a simple plot.

Better 10 Years on

[crumpytv · 7/10 · 21 August 2023]

AKA What to Do When Someone Dies

This is probably a lot better than it would have been reviewed 10 years ago.

The reason being is that is not weighed down by PC characters, same sex relationships, inclusion, diversity et al.

Also, only two Fs throughout, which make a change from the profanity fests we have to endure in contemporary dramas.

3 Episodes was just about right, especially when the ending was being telegraphed at the beginning of episode 3. The culprit was having just a little to much to say for themselves.

What a waste of Marc Warren. He was barely in it.

Pippa Haywood pulled of the death mask to end all death masks.

Follow your instincts!

[manfromlamuncha · 9/10 · 28 August 2023]

Thoroughly taut well acted psychological crime story! If something doesn't seem right- it probably isn't! Those around you may try to shield you from yourself! Your close friends and workmates will make you give it up! But you believe in yourself and you will not give up because that would surely destroy you! So onward against the odds! Keeping your wits to gather those threads of truth until you can weave the why and wherefore of all that took place and explains the gaps, the doubts, the illogic of preconceived opinions! Love is your manna! Retribution is your muscle! You will succeed and retribution will subside leaving only love!

Awful!

[dually-1 · 2/10 · 2 May 2021]

An entire cast of utterly unlikable characters! One character after another is introduced . . . And each one worse than the last. That's almost three hours of my life gone that I'll never get back . . . Don't make the same mistake!!!

Different title

[Headturner1 · 5/10 · 4 August 2020]

On Prime. Why do they do that! I like to leave reviews here and had to dig to find no wonder in 10 years only 4 ratings. Ok. It was ok. Anna Freil looked so different. The script was severely flawed as well as editing etc. They played to exact 20 second parts in 2 different areas ( like a good 20 min ) apart. I didn't like the flash backs with the husband or when they showed him just watching her all creepily. I mean he looked so close to his colleague I sometimes thought it was him. And what did the creepy cook do to further along the script? I like Pippa haywood she did well with what she had to work with but it didn't show case her acting skills. Even with all the red herrings it was pretty easy to guess and let me say whoever did the postmortems' is an idiot ( there would be no smoke in the lungs, injuries inconsistent with a car crash) . So any ways I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it unless you're a huge Ana Friel fan.

Very Poorly Written Tripe

[michaelr-07217 · 3/10 · 25 September 2021]

How do I begin to describe how completely terrible this program was? The writers must have been enamored with American soap opera television to come up with this terrible script. Anna Friel should have never taken the role in this poorly executed production. Not worth the watch.

Anyone else read a book with a similar plot?

[kiwigal1963 · 11 January 2014]

Well I'm not going to keep watching. I've only watched episode 1 but I know I have read this exact plot in a book, only problem is I can't remember the author. Does anyone else know the book/author? Already in 1 episode I can tell you it's not a patch on the original story, sadly it looks like paint by numbers so far. Anna Friel is a good actress, in fact there is nothing wrong with any of the acting in episode 1, but the plot is wide open with no mystery to it. It's obvious the husband & unknown woman were murdered, that the accident is a setup & that Anna's character is going to move heaven & earth to prove it & find out who did it & the bad guy sticks out. The book is the same except it feels much tighter, faster & more full of suspense & the bad guy does not stick out. If you enjoy reading, then go for the book & forget this mini-series.

Underwhelming

[oconnors2nz · 3/10 · 1 January 2023]

I was drawn to this by the two leads. Friel from my days of watching Brookside and Warren from Hustle. Both accomplished actors' who have been a pleasure to watch in whatever their roles' may be.

Something went drastically wrong with this melodrama, in fact let's call it seriously exaggerated melodrama.

Their solid performances still stood out in a sea of mediocre acting. I'm not sure what else the other players in this have done previously but the poor writing did nothing to save this.

Logic was left behind at an early stage of proceedings and from that point, I just felt like I had to watch just to see who the culprit was, although I had my suspicions early on and was proved right.

Nothing against Friel and Warren who still did a good job at rescuing the script, but the flaws were evident moreso in Friel's scenes with others less capable. Her nuanced subtlety had nothing to play off with some of the other actors in this misguided drama/thriller.