0/5

The Long Firm

London in the 60s was full of corruption and temptation, an underworld ruled by crime boss Harry Starks, in this BBC drama.

In the first two minutes of The Long Firm, it’s clear this miniseries isn’t about to shy away from frank subjects and candid depictions.

A silent Sir Derek Jacobi can be seen partaking of mutual masturbation with another man in a toilet. It’s but one of his overt scenes as Lord Teddy Thursby, a fictional Tory Lord in 1960s London. Thursby is a cash-strapped politician with a penchant for young men, whose needs see him entwine with the dirty dealings of a charismatic underworld crim, Harry Starks.

Starks, played menacingly by Mark Strong, is a powerful East End nightclub owner who wields enormous power in the swinging sixties. Based loosely on actual “celebrity crims” The Kray Brothers, he throws outrageous parties, runs rackets, orders violent attacks and mingles with celebrities and politicians. It would seem there isn’t anything he can’t get, including ‘rent boys’. That’s what lures the ageing Teddy Thursby into his lair.

In assisting Starks with his contacts and influence, Thursby notes he could be signing a deal with the devil. He even likens the association to the one that dishevelled Faust – yet he seems helpless to stop himself. Lonely in life, and increasingly powerless in his political circles, the temptations of the underworld distract him. Before he knows it he is compromised and complicit at every turn: legally and morally. Jacobi, as always, is outstanding in a somewhat pathetic portrayal of a hollow man.

But it’s Strong who shines here, as the pivot of a unique story divided into four chapters from varying points of view. Following the episode featuring ‘Teddy’s Story’ is ‘Ruby’s Story’. Lena Heady features as Ruby, a movie star who choreographs Starks’ strippers and gives acting lessons to his toyboy Tommy (Joe Absolom), who is in turn the subject of one the drama’s other two chapters to screen a week later.

The Long Firm, a term which refers to fraudulent trading companies, was penned as a novel by writer Jake Arnott. Some of the dialogue in this BBC adaptation rings of its literary origins, but it’s for the better. This is an involving and layered look at corruption and blood ties. Despite the fact it was filmed in 2004 and has already aired on Pay TV, it’s masterfully executed.

The Long Firm airs 8:30pm Sunday on ABC1.

3 Responses

  1. Great review David ! I also agee with the other postings.
    Wonderful acting by Jacobi and Strong and the story line and direction are brillant too.
    Congrats to the ABC for picking this one up second hand.

  2. This is one of the most sinisterly brilliant things I have ever seen on TV. The script, acting and direction are superb. When is the next serious coming? Anyone know?

  3. When I read solid reviews of this (and saw cast list) the decision was easy.

    ABC got me for next 2 sunday nights.
    sorry CSI err Nine’s next 2 and half men

Leave a Reply