Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Well-made biopic on Brit soap star examines ageism, sexism.
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Nolly
What's the Story?
NOLLY is the inspired-by-true-life story of Noele "Nolly" Gordon (Helena Bonham-Carter), a British producer, TV presenter, and actress who made a name for herself as the lead of Crossroads, a long-running soap opera set in a motel. After 17 years of racking up acclaim and awards starring as the motel's proprietress Meg Mortimer, Gordon was unceremoniously fired by the male powers-that-be, which her shocked fans and costars protested vehemently. The three-part limited series, written by Doctor Who's Russell T. Davies (who won a 2023 Best Writer BAFTA for his work here), examines how Gordon contended with the wind-down of her lengthy career in showbiz, its ups and downs, and what it all cost her as a person.
Is It Any Good?
Bonham Carter is magnetic as the blunt but lovable Gordon, who may be intimidating at times but is also usually right about whatever she's sticking to her guns about. Her costars and friends have so much affection for her, treating her like a wise maternal figure, though the actress never married or had children. It's the men in power -- including would-be husbands, who propose to her on the condition that she give up her career -- who are intimidated by her intelligence, talent, and assertiveness. Nolly has a lot of things to say about ageism and sexism but does so in a way that isn't heavy-handed and doesn't sacrifice humor or heart.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about TV shows and movies based on real public figures. How does this series compare to other biopics you've seen? How do you deduce which parts of the story are true, and which have been fictionalized?
How did sexist and ageist attitudes affect what happened to Nolly in the later years of her career? Do you think things have changed since the time in which her story takes place?
Some of Nolly Gordon's real-life Crossroads co-stars reunited to make a cameo in this series. Can you think of other favorite cameos in TV and film?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 2, 2024
- Cast : Helena Bonham Carter , Mark Gatiss , Augustus Prew
- Network : PBS
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Award : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner
- Last updated : April 29, 2024
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