Strictly Confidential
Strictly Confidential is a six-part drama, written by Kay Mellor and originally shown on ITV during November and December 2006. It stars Suranne Jones as Linda, a bisexual ex police officer turned sex therapist, who shares a practice in Leeds with her brother-in-law, played by Tristan Gemmill. Her life is complicated by the fact that her husband Richard, her business partner's brother, played by Christian Solimeno, has low fertility and cannot give her the baby she wants. She is all for asking his brother to be a sperm donor, which does not sit well with his wife. Linda's husband is also not keen on the idea at all but lets Linda go ahead and ask his brother who consents to be a sperm donor. Sexual tension becomes obvious between the pair, and they soon begin sleeping together, with disastrous consequences for all involved, especially Angie, Linda's ex-lover who is still very much in love with Linda.
Insights
Plot Summary
Three friends, all former sex workers, reunite for a weekend getaway after one of them, Mia, is released from prison. They planned to escape their pasts and celebrate Mia's freedom, but their reunion quickly becomes complicated. Secrets, betrayals, and old enemies resurface, forcing them to confront the choices that led them to their current lives and threatening to destroy their bond.
Critical Reception
Strictly Confidential received a generally negative to mixed reception from critics, with many finding the plot predictable and the character development lacking. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with some appreciating the attempt at a dramatic thriller while others were disappointed by its execution.
What Reviewers Say
- The film struggles with a convoluted plot that feels underdeveloped.
- Character motivations are often unclear, leading to a lack of emotional investment.
- While aiming for a tense thriller, the film often falls flat due to pacing issues and predictable twists.
Google audience: Audience reviews for Strictly Confidential are scarce and generally unenthusiastic. Those who commented often found the film to be a forgettable thriller with a weak storyline and unconvincing performances.
Fun Fact
The film was initially intended to be a more explicit thriller, but was reportedly toned down during production.
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