Aahhh – the beautiful Tom Hollander.
Last night, the much anticipated second series of ‘Rev’ was shown on BBC2. Hollander plays a young vicar, Adam Smallbone, who has relocated from a rural parish to Hackney in the East End of London. Rev. Smallbone is an ordinary person, an ordinary man. Not a comedy vicar like Dawn French, Ardal O’Hanlon or Derek Nimmo, but a kind and humorous man who is riddled with self doubt, who makes mistakes, and who truly cares about his parishioners and believes he can make a difference, however ill-judged some of his endeavours turn out to be.
I won’t tell you the plot of the first episode because I really, really want you to watch it on iPlayer/Catch Up etc and then continue to watch the rest of the series avidly. I will tell you though, that there is a striking cameo by Ralph Fiennes as the Bishop of London, and Hugh Bonneville appears as a white suited, ambitious and worldy colleague.
His wife Alex (Olivia Colman) has her own career as a solicitor and she really struggles with the 24-hour nature of his vocation. She loves him so much but desperately wants to spend time with him alone and is keen to start a family but, as she points out to him, ”You don’t shag me enough.”
Some of Smallbone’s finest moments are when he is sitting on the bench outside the church, fag in hand, discussing his problems with the local drunk, who frequently offers a weird kind of sanity. He is out of his depth, burdened with a shrinking congregation, a crumbling building and a dysfunctional but devoted support team. And yet, as in all his roles, there is a beauty and stillness to the character which takes your breath away.
I have never seen Hollander in a duff role. Everything he does has depth and conviction whether he’s George V in ‘The Lost Prince’, the cold and calculating Beckett in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ or the flamboyant Darren in ‘Bedrooms and Hallways’.
And he’s really, really gorgeous. Which is nice.
Isn’t he though? I love Rev almost beyond words, I mentioned it a few days aog on my blog. I especially enjoyed Hugh Bonneville’s choice of dvds for the retreat and Ralph Fiennes was fabulous as the bishop -striking is the right word -just who was he meant to be one wonders? Love Olivia Coleman too. Did you know she is playing Carol Thatcher in the forthcoming Iron Lady with Meryl Streep?
I shall certainly be turning on iPlayer, because that photo alone is very tempting!
Hear! Hands off! Tom Hollander is mine all mine.
Seriously, I was glad to see the good start to series 2, after the excellent first series. And apparently real vicars have a tendency to sidle up to Tom Hollander and comment that it’s nice to see someone who actually looks and behaves like a real, normal vicar on screen.
I didn’t know that, Sue. I can’t decide whether I want to see the Iron Lady film or not. I’m afraid it might give me nightmares that no amount of Ovaltine could soothe.
I know what you mean, who wants to live through it all again?
Couln’t agree more. I just love it,
Absolutely. But I had almost completely forgotten about Bedrooms and Hallways.
Welcome Alex. Funnily enough it was on the TV a couple of weeks ago and I had forgotten all about it. Some of it was a bit too much like my life (but ten years later) for comfort!
I can’t say I was taken with ‘Rev’, but Tom Hollander is always wonderful – even when he was a repulsive Mr. Collins in ‘Pride and Prejudice’!
Welcome Hausfrau – I’d forgotten he was in Pride and Prejudice, I must watch it again. Hope you keep reading.
Thank God for iPlayer, and this reminder … I missed it!
You do know that Tom Hollander is pocket-sized. Gorgeous but really, really tiny. England’s answer to Prince.
Pocket sized is just fine …Rev is the perfect antidote to all the reality stuff which plagues the tv and thank goodness for BBCiplayer I am on ‘catch up’ most of the time
Welcome Julie – I quite agree, although I have to admit that I’ve rather got into Strictly Come Dancing this time. Mainly because, when I’m famous, I hope to be asked on and I can genuinely say that I’m a fan! And yes, thank goodness for iPlayer. Hope you keep reading.
I am loving “Rev” with the wonderful Tom Hollander. Clever writing and great acting make it very watchable and laugh out loud funny.
Welcome Mary. And wasn’t it brilliant last night – Rev on ecstacy – hilarious. Hope you keep reading and emjoy the new site.
This comment failed to make the transition from the old site to the new, so I apologise to Revic, particularly as it was great to get a perspective from an actual member of the Clergy.
Welcome Revic. The general opinion seems to be that Rev is a pretty good portrayal of modern clerical life and there was a very interesting interview with Tom Hollander in the Radio Times in which he said that making the programme had actually had quite a profound effect on him.
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From Revic:
I just recently discovered this delightful series through the internet. At first I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have to say that I was surprisingly delighted. As a real “Rev” I am amazed at how true to life much of what happens in this comedic take on the church.
When Adam has his crisis a faith and yet is called on by the police to do his duty for a women who is dying. He quote’s the story of Isaiah call to serve. It is this reminder that gets him through what he needs to do and reminds of his faith.All I can say is that I have been there.
I could go on: life in the parsonage with people stopping by at the most unexpected times, finding words of wisdom in unexpected places ( Colin the drunk), the feelings of loneliness, the question of relevance and so much more.
I look forward to Season two. Keep up the good work.
It’s so wonderful to see Rev being so well received isn’t it? I am particularly pleased to see Tom have a series that is truly his own and not just a small role in someone else’s big production. In my opinion he is the greatest actor of his generation. I am his biggest fan.
Welcome Deb. Gosh you are a fan aren’t you? I’ll have a proper look at your website later but I agree, it’s lovely to see him in his own role. Saying that, he always turns in such memorable performances which make him stand out in any film.
Thanks for the welcome. I am counting down the minutes until Ep. 3 (approx. 40). Hehe. IT is very true that Tom’s performances are always stellar. He is also a lovely person. I have met him. Love your blog, btw.
love this series, discovered it quite by accident last week while browsing on iplayer and have been hooked ever since!
some great comedy moments but equally touching moments as well. tom hollander plays the role superbly as adam and i love the different characters in the series!!
havent laughed at bbc comedy so much in ages, but equally there are moments that just make you go ‘awwww’
Welcome Kate. Rev is one of those series that is a shining light in the middle of an otherwise darkened schedule. Hope you stay with us.
I’m American and I love British cinema, culture and music – he
Is one of my favorite British actors
And so cute…
Welcome Laura – I couldn’t agree more! Hope you keep reading.
I thought that the last part of last night’s episode (1 dec) was particularly moving – the ‘beauty and stillness’ to the character really coming through
Welcome Tricia. Wasn’t it just? I was in tears, particularly after all the madness of Alex’s ‘girls’ night’ and the football match. And I thought that was a marvellous explanation for the next time Boy the Younger asks where his grandad is likely to be. Hope you keep reading.
it’s simply the greatest show on TV at the moment….love Tom Hollander in everything he does…however in most parts he plays he simply outshines everyone else…however Rev is a beautiful ensamble piece…everyone is vital. believeable and needed…I only wish more TV was like this,,,thought provoking, kind and genuine…as most of life is
Have been really enjoying the show and its balanced touches in the show that makes it entertaining without being vacuous…
Tom is such a wonderful presence. I always saw him as a “background” actor – the sort that complements the work of the leads even when he is one of the main characters.this shows says otherwise…the only “real” complaint I have is finding where I can get the version of the theme song – it really seems to match the show well – a gospel song reworked as a gospel-tinged modern bluesy fun belter….BTW – fell across your blog and really am liking it! keep up the good work!
Welcome Helen Wirral. Rev really is a high point in the weekly schedule and it’s an enormous credit to the writers that we respond so well to the characters in it. I shall be very sad when this series finishes. Hope you keep reading.
Welcome Derrick. Let us know if you track down the music, you’re right it is super. So glad you’ve joined out merry band and I hope to hear from you again!
Rev is wonderful! I work alongside clergy and find myself wincing at situations I have experienced or witnessed myself… they really did their research. OK, a little exaggerated but Tom really gives some depth to the part. Best TV on the box by far.
Welcome David. Last week’s was a cracker wasn’t it. It must be such fun for some of the guest stars like Richard E Grant and Ralf Fiennes to go on. Hope you keep reading.
Does anyone know what the song was that was playing at the end of Episode 6 last night where Alex and Adam are in the church with Archdeacon Robert, Nigel and Colin. It’s such a lovely song and I can’t find it anywhere!
The song at the end of Episode Six is ‘Our Love Will See Us Through’ by Nina Simone….I am not a massive fan of hers so I don’t know if it is one of her best known songs…but sure you will find it somewhere!
Loved the last episode…so life affirming…so sorry only Xmas Special to go
Ah, well done Helen. I tried to look it up this afternoon on iTunes but the Store wouldn’t let me in.
I watched the episode again this afternoon, as I missed the first ten minutes last night. Quite brilliant and, as you say, VERY sad that there’s only one more episode to go. I have no doubt that it will be recommissioned though. Writing that good doesn’t get cast aside for no reason.
I only hope that IF it is commissioned..ALL involved will do it again, every character is perfect, so right and vital…. and that it keeps to the same or better standard…..would be devastating if it became a shadow of it’s former self or just kept rehashing previous story lines to try to make new ones…..IF that was a possibility then I feel they should leave well alone….Fawlty Towers is admired because they knew when to stop….other comedies have dragged on for years and like a sick dog should have been put down to put it out of it’s misery!