Glenn Close

This time in Damages, Glenn Close’s Patty Hewes remains as ruthless as always, and this time, the programme makers have put her up against a case as tough as any she’s faced. For this time, she’s working for the American government, charged with trying to get back billions of dollars. It’s a tough job, and it’s going to take the best in the business to even attempt it. Which is where Hewes comes in.

Once again, Glenn Close is quite brilliant here, anchoring the show with a terrific central turn. Rose Byrne returns too, and again provides a strong foil for Close. And in this third season, Campbell Scott plays Joe Tobin, although he struggles to make too much of an impact. Furthermore, there’s an unwillingness to let go of a character from earlier series, which doesn’t help Damages here.

But it’s still a rollicking-good television series. Damages remains one of the most compelling legal thrillers that television has produced in recent times, and the likelihood is that this third season is the last. However, the good news is that it’s going out in fine form… --Jon Foster

Although some critics felt Close was too refined for a series as gritty as The Shield, she quickly found her place in the show's tight ensemble, earning an Emmy nomination (along with Pounder) and giving Mackey a formidable boss who earns his respect. And while Aceveda wrestles with psychosexual demons resulting from his humiliation in season 3, the high-stakes threat of Antwon Mitchell embroils the Barn in a cauldron of mistrust and political upheaval. More than any previous season, this 13-episode story arc is character-based and internally driven by clashing agendas. Sub-plots run the gamut of neighborhood killings and gang-banger conflict, but as always The Shield also finds room for plenty of mordant wit and tension-relieving sarcasm. Like all previous Shield DVDs, this four-disc set includes informative episode commentaries from the entire cast (including Close) engaged in revealing discussions of their creative process with creator Shawn Ryan and several primary writers and directors. Best of all, the "Under the Skin" documentary is a way-above-average, 60-minute survey of The Shield's day-to-day production, offering plenty of behind-the-scenes footage and eloquent insight about the challenge of maintaining high-quality drama during a fast-paced guerilla production schedule. It's essential viewing for Shield fans and anyone considering a career in television. --Jeff Shannon
amazon failed to deliver, 2009-09-18
I'd love to review this item but Amazon failed to deliver it and after over 3 weeks of waiting I was refunded - bad show amazon

Close plays Patty Hewes, an experienced and high profile litigator. She’s then joined by the eager, and considerably more wet-behind-the-ears Ellen Parsons (played by Rose Byrne), who fits into the role of her protégé. Damages then sees the pair fighting a bitter and prolonged case against Ted Danson’s high-profile and very rich businessman.

Where Damages differs from many in the genre is that its first season effectively covers one single case (albeit with many, many strands), much as Murder One did all those years ago. And this makes for an increasingly layered and intriguing drama, with a healthy number of twists to keep you on your toes.

The entire first season is presented in this Damages set, and very gripping it is too. Superbly acted by its cast of high and lower profile actors, it brings with it a real compulsion to find out what happened next. It’s where the DVD set comes in handy, as there’s no longer a week between episodes to get to the next part of the story!

Damages may not have been the highest profile export from the States of late, but it is one of the very best. And this set is an ideal opportunity to find out what all the fuss is about… --Jon Foster
Great serie!, 2009-11-12
It is for sure my favourite serie of the last few years, together with Madman. It keeps the attention high in every episode and its structure is thought to maintain a continue suspance, without any break. Glenn Close is giving prove of being a superbe actress. I like her character despite her ambiguity and wickedness. In my opinion in the second serie it becomes even more complex and complete.
I like very much the idea of advancing and postponing some periods of the story, in order to create always new expectations in the viewer.
To give a personal opinion I am glad that some actors/actresses (like Glenn Close) accept TV serie roles instead of boring and stereotyped movie characters, which sometimes are less worth than the TV series' one. This comment is obviously valid only for some Country productions, like US and UK, maybe sometimes France.

On the DVD: Fatal Attraction on disc has a new 28-minute documentary featuring the principal players explaining how wonderful each other are. More substantial is a 19-minute feature on creating the visual look, with sections on cinematography, costume and make-up design. A worthwhile 10-minute piece examines the social impact of the movie and the controversy it generated. Seven minutes of the three stars in rehearsal is intriguing, but more interesting is the opportunity to see the original, low-key ending, rejected after test screenings. Much of the best documentary material focuses on how the finally released ending came about, while Lyne's commentary is thoughtful and illuminating. The original trailer is included and there are 16 sets of subtitles, including English for the hard of hearing, as well as an alternative German dub. The sound has been remixed from stereo into a subtly involving Dolby Digital 5.1, and the 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer looks fine, though there is some very minor print damage. --Gary S Dalkin
Shocking!, 2009-08-04
Okay..i have to admit..this is the most scariest movie ever..because this can happen in your life..this is not horror..but true to life..and watching this film for the 1st time..i needed a sleeping pill...this film can teach you a lesson..T.C.