It's a Sin (2021) User Reviews

Brilliant

[prhazell · 10/10 · 23 January 2021]

I came out in 1982 and this bought all the memories flooding back , good and bad . From discovering my sexuality , discovering my parents were homophobes . Going out on the scene seemed like an adventure , alluring but underground , away from straight society . I visited San Francisco and the Castro in 1981 but was underage for the bars and unaware of the bath houses etc . I am glad of my naivety . I look back now almost 40 years and remember those who I have lost . 5 Episodes I wish it had been 12 .

oh wow

[hamlet-16 · 8/10 · 25 January 2021]

As a gay man who lived through the 80s and watched as friends and acquaintances "went home" this TV show brings it all back.

It is almost unbearable in parts... the passing of Colin is devastating ... the scenes in the hospital in the final episode... all too familiar family disdain for their gay sons... the love of strangers ... the angels like Jill...

Perhaps now some people will understand the deep wounds inflicted by some politicians and "religious" leaders of the day ... wounds that do not heal with time...

So to Russell and his cast thank you....

and to David Dennis Paul Tony Red Lee and so many guys ..too many guys ..... here's to you!

This is hard to put in words.

[crimeandpancakes · 10/10 · 23 January 2021]

This was an education. It's brilliant, it's fun, there's an outstanding cast and it is absolutely heart breaking. I hope everyone involved in this show is so so proud. Sorry this isn't much of a review, it's hard to put in words how I feel after watching this. Just give it a go, with an open heart and learn and respect. You will laugh and you will cry.

10/10

[leemcconn · 10/10 · 25 January 2021]

So... I am known for my stone cold heart and lack of emotion. I cried like I had been dumped by the love of my life. Loved this show. Its a must watch.

Raw, Cathartic & Poignant.

[W011y4m5 · 10/10 · 23 January 2021]

After binge-watching the entire series from start to finish, I can confidently conclude that this is one of the best (if not, THE best) show/s Russell T. Davies has ever created in his entire career; "It's A Sin" is both a powerfully joyous & appreciative celebration of the lives of the boys we lost to AIDS during the 80s / 90s (being thankful for the happy times people had with them, however fleeting) whilst also being a mournful, sombre remembrance - acknowledging the horrific implications of their premature losses, respecting their memories by immortalising them in stories (so they may be resurrected to live on through others) - that will outlast us all & possibly educate (or even inspire) future generations - whilst simultaneously contemplating the undiscovered potential of the crisis' victims & what they may have eventually become - if they'd had the opportunity (they so rightfully deserved) to live the lives they'd always intended to live... If each & every single one of them hadn't been so unjustly failed by the systems of power which were meant protect / ensure their safety. Hence, the series is unafraid to examine the brazen mistreatment of those within the LGBT community with a palpable sense of anger at the perpetrated injustices - that are rightfully depicted in a manner of utter condemnation - balancing that ominous portrayal of inhumanity against the hopefulness of other citizen's remarkable humanity - striking a complex & yet extremely effective tone, capturing the naive innocence, the wilful ignorance, the disinformation, the shame, the flawed coping mechanisms / inability to cope, the paranoia, the prejudice & the stigmas, the hopelessness & the endurance of the human spirit - in spite of overwhelming adversity... All culminating to form an overwhelmingly deep, morally ambiguous exploration in to the human condition, its flawed nature & how life / death situations bring out the best... But equally, the very worst too.

What I love most about Russell's new drama is it additionally reminds us these were genuine people; behind every death across the country was a story that deserves to be told - of an individual who existed with unique hopes, aspirations, families, friends, relationships, personalities & passions etc. There are many alive today (men & women) who grieved & are still scarred by the wounds inflicted by this forgotten pandemic... Hopefully "It's A Sin" can act as a memorial to heal - especially considering the timing; now more than ever - during another viral pandemic when some people have seemingly grown tired & become desensitised to an exponential growth in mortality rates - trivialising daily numbers of deceased as nothing more than random facts & figures - this bold drama has arrived at the perfect moment to directly challenge those sorts of harmful misconceptions; it places us in the centre of the hospital wards to reaffirm "never again: these are living, breathing civilians & their strife is worthy of our attention - do not look away; they are your loved ones".

Cast member Tracy-Ann Oberman described this mini-series as "Russell's Schindler's List" in an interview & she's right. Moreover, I'd compare it to HBO's Chernobyl & wish it the same levels of critical acclaim & success. After all, both analyse the human cost of deliberate negligence.

To conclude, I'd describe this project as bold, beautiful, engaging, agonisingly painful, intimate, heartfelt, humbling, grounded in authenticity, surprisingly personal, honest & incredibly uncomfortable... But worth every single minute of your investment; I cannot recommend it enough.

Excellent, unmissable drama.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 22 January 2021]

I haven't been able to switch it off, thank goodness for All4! Channel four and RTD, you have truly delivered here with this wonderful five part series. Sexy, funny, moving, sad, it has a bit of everything going on.

Despite all of the glitz and fun, there is a harshness that arrives like a knockout punch, how on Earth can something be so much fun, and then turn so bleak, what an astonishing mix.

I would highly recommend it, great characters, great stories, and the production values are off the scale, the really have managed to bring the 1980's back to life.

Russell T Davies, it breaks my heart that you aren't on hand to save Dr Who right now, but when you're making content like this, you keep at it.

I loved it! 10/10.

Masterpiece

[michellebuttercup · 10/10 · 24 January 2021]

I came across this by mistake when I couldn't reach the remote while feeding my baby and I'm so glad I did. I ended up watching the whole lot!

It's brilliant. Nothing short of amazing.

I loved every single character and they are all superb actors but the girl who played Jill was out of this world.

Heartwarming and heartbreaking

[liberty_lee · 9/10 · 24 January 2021]

You may need a tissue for your tears when you watch this. Really good 80s vibe, the characters are likeable and funny. It made me more aware of something I didnt know alot about, as I was a child in the 80s. It was interesting, intriguing, sweet and tragic. I think I cried at one point in every episode, twice in the last one. The main guys are so likeable, and jill, and Collins mum, some really heartwarming moments in every episode. Theres lots of sex, incase that bothers anyone. The last scene, as, my poor heart. I really hope that there were gay men and women in the 80s that had supportive parents or friends, I really hope that people didnt have to die alone of shame, I'm heartbroken for those men who died, for love, for fun, for lack of information, and for their families and friends. I hope no one ever dies from shame. Heartbreaking moments.

Eye opening

[mrjdarcher · 9/10 · 23 January 2021]

I watched this and was shocked at how brothers, sons were treaded in the 80's and 90's for being ill.

The writing and screen play was brilliant. This can be a little graphic, but that paints a picture. Doesn't matter what you believe or think, everyone deserves love.

This is the type of thing we should have seen at school rather than Philadelphia. Time to accept and love one another.

Awesome viewing!!

[pxjvnc · 10/10 · 23 January 2021]

Another masterpiece by Russell T Davies...in my opinion, probably his best yet!! Binge watched the whole lot in one session as i couldn't drag myself away. It's beautifully written, well acted and factually correct. It will make you laugh out loud and also make you cry...lots in my case. Sit back, relax and enjoy this true treasure of a drama...oh and keep the tissues handy.

It's a sin

[rebeccadougherty-74283 · 10/10 · 23 January 2021]

Amazing binged watched whole series last night just brilliant

Oh such mixed feelings

[charlotteadams-93024 · 7/10 · 12 March 2021]

Like some other reviewers I'm a little bemused at all the 10 stars. I guess this is because the outbreak of AIDs - and the dreadful ostracising of gay men dying from it - is being tackled for the first time in this way in this generation. Which is great. I just wish the execution had been a bit better.

The characters are too superficial to do this important topic justice and the story is rushed. Keeley Hawes is one of my favourite actresses but her character-arc as Ritchie's mother is just weird and unbelievable. Actually a lot of the characters are - they talk in ways that are just not realistic. Their dialogue is all telling and no showing, with much modern thinking that wouldn't have been expressed that way back then.

Jill annoyed me too. Lydia West is usually a compelling actress but Jill was a one-sided creature, all maternal and sacrificial with no life of her own. I longed for her to have more depth and ambiguity.

Olly Alexander has a spark, though. He is brilliant at portraying emotion. He's also very cute, and with a top script and a top director he could go on to great things. This wasn't quite it. Nathaniel Curtis as Ash also stood out for me. I wished that the author had chosen to make more of Ash and Ritchie's relationship - spent more time developing it, making us care about it. As such, it was all painted in way-too-broad strokes.

I'm glad this was made and that I watched it. And it will have been a success if it teaches younger generations even a little of the attitudes prevailing at that time, and just how horrific a disease it was before scientific research enabled people to take preventative drugs and live good lives while HIV positive.

Still, with a longer run of episodes and less "cartoonish" writing, perhaps this could have been the 10 some think it is.

Eye-opening but flawed

[beccabentley · 5/10 · 1 March 2021]

I had heard good things about this so decided to give it a watch. I remember the AIDS epidemic as a child growing up and I remember it always being stressed that it affected heterosexuals as well as homosexuals - so it was surprising to me to learn from this series how the gay community was stigmatised in the beginning. It did open my eyes to what it must have been like, before the virus was identified, and how frightening it was to not know what was happening to people. However, we did clearly move on from this and I think perhaps this drama does concentrate a little too much on the impact on just the gay community and portrays a strange, alternate reality where every single one of the younger male generation is gay. The main female character is, by contrast, portrayed as basically asexual, is only friends with gay men and never has a sexual relationship of her own! I loved Callum Scott Cowell's portrayal of "Gladys" - he moved me to tears. I think the rest of the male cast were a little OTT (especially Roscoe) and reinforced rather than challenged gay stereotypes (and the parents of Ritchie were also very predictably conventional). I felt the graphic, gratuitous sex was unnecessary and, again, doesn't help change attitudes as it perpetuates the idea that most gay men are just a bunch of rutting animals. SPOILER HERE: I didn't quite understand at the end why Jill and Roscoe didn't do more to see Ritchie than just keep ringing his house. And the final "moral" that the story left us with i.e. that Ritchie's mum was completely to blame because of the "shame" he constantly felt, just didn't hit the right note for me, especially after all the shameless behaviour and Ritchie's admission that he knew he was infecting people and carried on regardless. It also felt like a very contrived speech to me and not a genuine one. I have given this 5 stars as I have mixed feelings about it. There were parts that were brilliant but I think a subtler approach, characters with more dimension, and a more empathetic lead would have made it much better.

My life

[sidney_amsterdam · 10/10 · 5 March 2021]

It about my own life, like many other older gaymen These mini series brought me back to my memories which are hidden deep inside my brain Shocking and wonderfully made 10 stars

Wow

[donnababe · 10/10 · 24 January 2021]

I just sobbed uncontrollably into my boyfriends chest after finishing the last episode of this. It was an emotional rollercoaster, I laughed, I cried, I got angry. Beautifully written, beautifully performed. Beautiful!

Do. Not. Miss!

[rhmacl · 10/10 · 3 March 2021]

Outstanding, but I'm biased. This story could be about me, my experiences as a young gay man in California. I was also 30 in 1991, and this show captures the myriad emotions, fears, hopes, that occupied my mind at the time. AIDS killed so many of my cohort or clique and while slaughtering them it really f#cked with the minds of those it didn't kill.

This series sorts all those conflicting memories feelings and emotions out. It reminded me how we sank into the realization of what AIDS was, how we tried to deny it, tried to deny the power it had over us, and how we coped once we overcame our initial dismay. The camaraderie of good friends who became warriors against the disease and ignorance and bias that it seemed to draw into focus. The caring, caregiving, and love we dredged out of ourselves as we all simultaneously redirected our lives in order to be present to the vast suffering.

Thank you to all involved in this production for making by far the hardest most soul-sucking, painful, and sad era of my stupid little life a little easier to remember and appreciate. I saw friends I have forgotten about in each character, a trait here and there, speaking out and forcing me back to those heartbreaking AND heartwarming experiences. Still a lot of pain, and perhaps compartmentalized into too small a space in my mind. But thank you for giving them a little bit of life again.

An Amazing BBC Series on a Not So Wonderful Time in the 80s (UPDATED)

[lambiepie-2 · 10/10 · 25 February 2021]

I binged on this series in America on HBOMax, and I found it terrific. I grew up in this time, and they do hit on the points.

Much of this was tough to watch, to be reminded of again, but there needs to be a memory. In the 80s, two prominent issues were going on: Crack/Drug Wars and HIV/AIDS. Those looking back on the times recall the music, the 'greed is good' mentality and fun. And it was. But it was also defined by the previous two issues mentioned as well.

While this was focusing on the gay male community, I can 100% identify with Jill Baxter's character (played wonderfully by Lydia West). I did what she did back then - first, I was TOTALLY misinformed about HIV/AIDS and was so afraid when finding out, then studying as much as I could about it. After Rock Hudson died in 1985, I ended up wanting to help. I volunteered on phones, helped collect donations at the grocery stores to get toothpaste, soap, shampoo, disposable shavers - things they needed, and volunteers would drop off. I, too, in the early '90s, walked through a hospital 'wing' of AIDS patients while visiting my best friend in his last days. I'm sure I seemed annoying 'buzzing' around my male gay friends being heterosexual too. Still, I was there with them. Not as a label, but as a human being. From beginning to end, and even inserting myself with those I didn't know. I remember.

I had many gay male friends back then. As young as I was, it didn't matter what their sexuality was; we had a great time as a group, a few of us like brothers and sisters. 1981-1984 we went dancing and clubbing, met after work or in the clubs. And some eventually 'went missing,' found out later they "got sick," and they've 90% 'gone home'/died now. I miss them, and I thought about them all watching this. That's how spot-on much of this is. The five-part series touches upon so much (and I understand it was supposed to be eight episodes or so, but it was a hard sell to get it on their air and ended up at 5). The thing is, I cannot begin to know or feel exactly how these men felt. I can tell how I felt around them and watching stuff unfold and how I felt with and for them. It was my coming of age. "It's a Sin" is a look at how the "middle generation" (there IS a middle generation as they were NOT Baby-Boomers or Gen X'ers, but that's another story) came of age.

In "It's A Sin," not all of the gay males are stereotypical characters. They each were motivated differently, and I observed how it separated the five male characters' lives and norms. I wish they did go with the eight parts because I am sure there is more character development with their families. For example - Ritchie, the lead, you figure out quickly. And there ARE some stereotypical aspects of the character. But you get to see sides of this from other characters too. The Gregory/Gloria character and his 'richer government-connected family' did have more to lose if anyone found out what his son had died of. You see that family's grief at Gregory's end. You know what they did -- to 'erase' him -- but unless you understand WHY they did what they did when Gregory died, it may be confusing. I'm guessing his story may have been edited, but it would have been essential for folks to get how people thought in those times of the families. They were placed under pressure as well as their ignorance about it. Jus wish they delved into I a bit more.

There is Roscoe, who may seem stereotypical. He wasn't to me, and I loved the "slap" scene in the beginning. However, his issues also concern immigration and how he and his family still looked to their original Country norms on dealing with him.

I did wish to learn more about Ash and HIS family as he was bright & sensitive. He seemed to have been able to "blend in" at times with the heterosexuals. Then not, so it seemed he too held back much. And the segments of Collin's story (played so realistically by Callum Scott-Howells and will be up for a BAFTA, no doubt!) choked me up. The character was a workaholic, quiet (repression), followed the rules - which made his end so tragic, crushing. What happened to him wasn't all 'homosexual' related to me. I know many of a heterosexual going through that, which is why it was tough to see even more. I had to take a few minutes before going onto the next segment in the series, as Collin's story hit me very hard.

And then the lead, Ritchie. As promiscuity goes, he was shown as way over the top. But in perspective, he did leave home, he did find himself, and he was open to BE himself in London. He now could study what he wanted. He found a best friend in Jill, a real one he could be himself. Jill - became his family. Ritchie has THE BEST scene explaining the misinformation about HIV/AIDS and how he thinks he is young and invincible (yep!) and didn't believe any of it. His newly found sexual freedoms were not to be cut short. Again, I can only see this from where I stand, but at that age, leaving home-and although Ritchie was their golden, (spoiled) child- he couldn't wait to be set free and when free - liked and loved. In "It's A Sin," there are MANY times we see that's what Ritchie wanted, and not just in "sex." While the writing was on the wall with Ritchie, his story doesn't make it less tragic.

Another area the series touched upon a tad (I wish it delved in a bit more) of something that I disliked the most at that time. It was the death of one and how the family scavenged and REFUSED to take care of them during the sickness or acknowledge their partner. We see his funeral, and the family at the funeral didn't want to mention he left behind his boyfriend. Subsequently, for families/folks who did 'kinda' say it back then, they listed them as a "Longtime Companion" in the obits. (And that is another film worth checking out as well). I witnessed a few of those families shutting out those long-term relationships. Those types of families did nothing to help their afflicted children. They wouldn't even talk or visit them. But they were on hand to take it all from the partner who took care of them. Those families were one of the most horrific parts of this in the 80s.

It was a scary, crazy time as information was all over the place from 1978-1985, and his little series touches on much of it. Scientists and researchers tried to find the sources and cures, which gives those who didn't live through it a good glimpse. I liked the main ensemble cast (Olly Alexander as Richard/Richie, my goodness! Start polishing your BAFTA! Omari Douglas as Roscoe, Nathaniel Curtis as Ash). They sold their parts to me, did a great job. I found the women very strong. Actress Keely Hawes as Ritchie's mom - I disliked her being so naive and doting in the beginning, hated her with a passion at the end. Her performance was just that powerful. Actress Seyan Sarvan deserves kudos, too, for playing her small role as the Lawyer/Advocate for Collin. That was a pivotal scene to get out a fundamental law that many who had AIDS in the UK didn't get to know or use.

I also wish to add this about the other performances - Neil Patrick Harris in Episode 1 was fantastic to begin this tale and start the heartbreak over what was coming. Oustanding actor! Steven Fry, coming in as a Government closeted mucky-muck, was good too. But as an American, I was a bit lost on some of the stuff he was doing (like the dinner with Roscoe and the other men at the table. I just assumed they were all closeted mucky-mucks with their protegees. I could be wrong.) Neil and Stephen both well-known faces/names, good roles that were moving the tale along.

"It's A Sin" gets high marks from me. It was very close to what I was around at the time. I loved the stories and the excellent cast that came together as its own little family, as well as knowing how tough it was to get it on TV. Don't miss this. While heartbreaking, while bringing up 'the real times of the 80s', this is a great series.

Unmissable

[kirstylibertine · 10/10 · 23 January 2021]

THE best show I've seen in years ! Loved everything about it despite crying into my gin for the past 5 hours .

It's honesty is terrifying in it's beauty

[draco_joel · 10/10 · 24 January 2021]

The characters, the story, the words: could not be more perfect or beautiful. This show will make you grin and cry at the same time.

Wonderful Drama

[dcarroll74 · 10/10 · 23 January 2021]

A refreshing, eye opening drama, reflecting the 1980's, as it was. No frills, punch in the stomach pain, for those who were made feel less than human because, they didn't conform to the "ideal", straight, love.

40 years later, the haters are still with us however, thankfully their numbers are getting smaller. When this series is complete, I hope the numbers will be less.

Excellent script, wonderful cast, great crew and sets, make this THE drama of 2021, even with stiff competition from other series currently running. Because this is still relevant today as it was 40 years ago; it strikes bare knuckle home, to everyone.

Something everyone needs to see.

[kp1000001 · 10/10 · 3 January 2023]

I was a teenager in the late 80s/90s and was scared to death to be gay and to have anyone find out. There was/is so much hatred in the world and so many people died of AIDS for no reason other than the hate in people's hearts. I listened as my religious family cheered AIDS for "cleansing" the world. So much hatred. So much misinformation. A stigma that to this day still exists.

This show reminds us how strong the LGBTQ+ community has always been and will continue to be.

If you want to laugh, to cry, to remember, and to understand, watch this show. It is well written and well acted. I wish it was more than 5 episodes, but in a way, the shortness of the show is ironically symbolic of the speed at which so many lives ended.

Great Series, loved it but felt slightly short changed

[ChRiS-803 · 7/10 · 26 January 2021]

Important mini series Told with beautiful heart and soul. Acted with immense force (Lydia west a clear standout)

Three things prevent it from a perfect 10

• it felt rushed. It needed to have a Few more episodes
• the lead isn't as sympathetic or likeable as the writers think he is. At times he's a spoilt brat and even his emotional scenes feel a bit forced
• so not a single of them had a hairstyle change or aged in many many many years? How hard was it for them to look different, they continued to look the same every few years...

Seriously, just watch "Longtime Companion"

[tylerwoodrownichols · 2/10 · 11 December 2021]

I was recently recommended this show by a friend, as somehow it had slipped under my radar when it first aired. On the surface, it seemed like something I'd love. I know a lot about the AIDS crisis, have volunteered at an HIV/AIDS charity, and have a degree in biology so viruses have always been interesting to me. Reflecting on pandemics of the past (and present, since AIDS is an ongoing issue) seems especially prescient due to the current crisis we face with covid. I also happen to be gay, which I'm only stating so that the rest of my review isn't waved off as bigotry or something stupid like that.

This show, frankly, baffled me. The tone is really bizarre. It handles an extremely heavy topic with all the flippancy of a soap opera. There are a bunch of weird montages with fourth wall-rupturing soliloquies that made me feel like I was watching a production meant for the stage. I half-expected the characters to break out in song during these moments, which mercifully did not happen. The acting is generally sub-par, with many of the scenes that should be poignant, upsetting, and probably even terrifying instead being tinged with an unshakeable sense of melodrama. It just didn't work for me.

Aside from the confusing tone, the characters were mostly ridiculous stereotypes... were it not for the director being a gay guy himself, I'd probably go as far as calling them homophobic caricatures. Almost every single one of the core group of gay men is a lisping, gender-bending diva, all of whom talked more like Zoomers than 80s youths (the "LA" call and response thing they do is the most cringeworthy thing I've seen in recent memory.) They were incredibly flat and one-dimensional, with so little humanity given to them that I simply couldn't connect with them. Most of them also seemed to be afflicted by some sort of neuroses resembling narcissistic personality disorder and, frankly, were insufferable. The only characters I thought had any redeeming qualities were Jill and Colin. Jill was sort of puzzling because over the entire decade we follow her around, she doesn't seem to have any significant other of her own or any clear career goals other than being a full-time f*g-hag. Colin, though sweet and sympathetic, felt shoehorned in, and his eventual doom felt unearned and manipulative on the writer's part.

Worst of all, however, is Olly Alexander's character, Ritchie, who unfortunately for us all is supposed to be the lead role. I was unfamiliar with Olly and all I can say is... this dude not only cannot act but is also almost impressively annoying. Once I realized that he was going to be the final death, the gut-punch that the whole train wreck had been building up to, I couldn't believe it. I think the point where it finally completely jumped the shark for me was when he put on his little ballerina dance in front of his friend's car... barf. His closing monologue to his mom was incredible cringe-inducing, and the following exchange between his mom and Jill was probably even worse. Terrible, terrible stuff.

What's more is that this show's structure is almost a complete ripoff of the FAR superior film "Longtime Companion" (1989). That movie came out when the AIDS crisis was still at its peak, and the characters act like actual gay men from the 80s instead of annoying Zoomers playing fashion show. Seriously, whether or not you like this show, do yourself a favor and watch that one. The characters are multi-dimensional beings who you will genuinely care about, the tone is just as dark as it should be, and above all it is genuinely SCARY. It's criminal how few people seem to be aware of that great film.

(NOTE: This would be a 1-star review, but I'm awarding the extra star due to Neil Patrick Harris and the prospect of raising awareness about details of the AIDS crisis that the textbooks gloss over.)

Heartbreaking, hilarious, authentic drama.

[atreida-1 · 10/10 · 23 January 2021]

Well balanced drama with wonderful characters. Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes hilarious, always authentic. Must see.

Amazing

[Gav-7 · 9/10 · 23 January 2021]

It's A Sin had me bawling my eyes out. Such a moving , funny and compelling piece of work. So beautifully done and who wouldn't love a friend like Jill.