Parents' Guide to

The Pursuit of Love

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Friendship, parties, brutal family featured in 1930s romp.

TV Amazon Prime Video Drama 2021
The Pursuit of Love Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all
age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

Kychristen
Kychristen Adult
August 5, 2021
age 18+

Couldn't make it through the first episode

First off, the info here on Common Sense Media about the mini Prime series The Pursuit of Love is completely wrong. Many scenes where one cousin jumps on the other cousin in inappropriate ways and says what you might expect, inappropriate things. There is nudity from a distance, nudity that is more covered, and then full frontal male nudity. I did not expect that nor need that image. There is brash contemporary music with expletives like the "D" word for male genitals and the big "F" word in one song. I don't watch anything with strong language so hopefully this site will update to protect others from watching this if they desire not to. I didn't even make it through the first episode. The rating on Prime is 13+, no child should watch this. As a married adult I found it shocking enough to get me to dive for the remote to turn it off. I regret watching it.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THE PURSUIT OF LOVE is a small-screen interpretation of the 1945 novel by Nancy Mitford. Directed and written by actress Emily Mortimer, who plays Fanny's mother, "The Bolter," the three-part series is set in 1930s upper-class England, with scenes that take place in Spain and in France. The focus is on the Radlett family, a thinly-veiled caricature of the real-life Mitford family, whose sisters were known for their scandalous behavior and exploits during that time. Fanny (Emily Beecham) narrates the tale of her friendship with her wild, passionate cousin Linda (Lily James of The Dig, Cinderella, and Downton Abbey), which is cemented during their time at the Radlett family home called Alconleigh in the British countryside. Linda's father (The Wire's Dominic West) controls the house with his bull-whipping brutality, but the girls avoid him as well as they can by hiding in the linen cupboard and making detailed plans for their future. When they reach the "great, golden goal of childhood," and grow up, they broodingly attend coming out parties peopled with older men. That is, until Lord Merlin (Andrew Scott of Fleabag, Sherlock) enters, introducing the teens to bohemian culture -- and to men their age. Linda, who is not educated, becomes obsessed with a particular Oxford student, while Fanny watches her friendship slip through her hands. Is it better to stick to what is safe and familiar, as Fanny tends to do? Or throw oneself into the yawning unknown as Fanny longs to do? Madcap, fantastically emotional chaos ensues.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (4 ):

At times delightfully madcap and laugh-out-loud funny, at times frustratingly self-conscious and even cruel, this period piece has charming moments. The Pursuit of Love successfully brings to life the swirling, passionate, political feeling of 1930's Europe, thanks in large part to the rollercoaster range of James, who plays Linda. Her obsession with the man of the moment, or her political cause-du-jour, feels as focused as it is fleeting. Foiled by her serious, loyal, and grounded cousin and friend Fanny, Linda finds herself "lost" without Fanny, that is, until the next man shows up.

Though "Fa," Linda's father, is played to comic effect by Dominic West, his words don't go unnoticed by the females in the household. His rants about the perils of educating women, insults about his niece's body, and his violent rages against his children, might rattle sensitive viewers. Also distracting is the contemporary music played in momentous scenes, jangling the historical vibe. Jump-cut edits and montages tend toward the heavy handed. The ending falls a little flat after so much noise, color, and culture. But the ensemble's performances -- Fanny's subtle eyebrow raises, Linda's over-the-top hot and cold tantrums, and The Bolter's wry comic jabs, can effectively delight viewers who overlook the boorish behaviors of the era. Fun, escapist fare exists in this series for viewers who want to delve into a story about the intricacies of female friendship.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about drinking and smoking in The Pursuit of Love. How have times changed? How can we talk about drinking and smoking in period pieces like this one?

  • What do you think this series says about money and the leisure class its characters grow up in?

  • The father character in this series is racist and hates foreigners, and is played for comic effect. What do you think about characters whose racism was shrugged off during their era? Does this kind of comedy hold up, even in a period piece meant to represent a certain time?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended tv lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate