"The slow pace of the preceding episodes gave way to calamitous, thought-provoking events."
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"This series has been magnificent. Deeply convincing acting, marvellous settings, and theme music that was very beautiful and evocative.
The final episode was extremely moving and upsetting, but also gripping. It felt much shorter than an hour, which must surely be a mark of good television.
Dan Stevens was great as Nick, but the rest of the actors were outstanding, particularly
Alex Wyndham as Wani, and all the Feddens. I loved the way the slow, languorous pace of the preceding episodes gave way to the calamitous, thought-provoking events of
Episode 3."
Eleanor, Leicestershire
"Brilliantly portrayed by all the cast. I've read the book and thought that all the characters were pretty obnoxious. However,
Nick became endearing as a man betrayed by the heterosexual upper middle classes that he lived amongst, but was not supported by.
My only gripe is one that I have with many dramas on TV. I hate the voiceover during the credits trying to get my attention for some other programme. Will the BBC please stop this practice? It's so annoying when we're trying to come down after watching something of interest."
Chris Dilworth, Northampton
"As someone living with bipolar disorder, I found Catherine's portrayal both moving and beautifully understated."
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"As someone living with bipolar disorder, under the watchful gaze of lithium, I found
Catherine's portrayal both moving and beautifully understated. Mental illness as something 'in the family', not just the person talking to themselves in the street is deeply overlooked, as are the dangers of it being treated as 'troubled' or a problem child.
I read the book when it came out and think this was a stunning adaptation."
Lilly, London
"I was delighted when I found out that this project was underway. The sensitive treatment of the characters should be viewed as a real achievement. This adaptation was both visually stunning and emotionally challenging."
Michael McFarlane, Leeds
"I feel compelled to reply to one of your reviewers [
Peg Hollamby, Episode 2 reviews], who referred to the work as mere 'pornographic homosexual voyeurism'.
The basic argument used seems to suggest that young people can be influenced by television to the extent that they change their sexuality.
Surely this argument lives in the dark ages (or at least the 80s!) - does she suspect that gay people 'choose' their sexuality? Or worse still, that they 'become' gay as a result of unsavoury 'influences'? If so, what absolute nonsense.
Sexuality is, as far as I'm concerned, an inherent characteristic, and as a young gay man I've never met a single gay person who felt that their sexuality was a 'choice' or a 'preference' (and certainly not something they 'picked up off the telly'). This is a rather simplistic view that reinforces the need for challenging programmes to be made.
It's just a shame that those individuals who most need to be educated seem to switch over before any progress can be made."
Justin Spencer, Peckham
"I used to be very nostalgic about the 80s, but as I get older, I'm seeing them for the cold, shallow years that they were. This series - and in particular this episode - summed that up for me. The key moment for me was when Nick looked at
Leo's photo. Absolutely heartbreaking. I had to go to bed and have a cry."
Victoria, West Midlands
"This drama was amazing, and appealed to me as a gay teenager. I love Jessica Turner, so her playing Dot was fantastic."
Jamie, Hertfordshire
"Even though today we are a more inclusive society, there is still profound discrimination and exclusion."
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"This was truly brilliant in recapturing the 1980s. The fear of
AIDS, the dogma and ignorance of homosexuality and resultant discrimination. And lest we forget, the emerging scandals within party politics.
I find empathy with people who were homosexual in this era. The era must have been a testing time against the backdrop of AIDS. The programme has enabled me to appreciate the dual worlds from an unique perspective - the rich and powerful and the less well off and rather powerless.
However, some were fighting the same war, the war of discrimination and the fear of going against the status quo. There is truly a battle underlying The Line of Beauty - blame, deception and conceit.
The 80s should never be forgotten - we all have lessons to learn from mistakes both political and social. Even though today we are a more inclusive society, there is still profound discrimination and exclusion."
Richard, Walsall
"One of the most beautiful pieces of work ever shown on the BBC. My husband and I felt humbled, educated, enlightened and entertained all at once. Full credit to the writer, amazing cast and all concerned."
Melanie Carter, Northants
"Just occasionally, no more than four or five times a year, a piece of drama is broadcast on TV that transfixes me almost into the setting. Inevitably it is drama about the past rather than the future. The Line of Beauty was one such drama.
It could have been a poor man's Brideshead, with Nick taking the
Jeremy Irons role of the less privileged, at times naäive, young man, taken in by the fame and fortune of living with a family who financially wanted for nothing. Like Irons, Nick was closely linked with a member of that family. While things coasted along on tranquil waters, he became increasingly close and integral to it.
Only when the serenity was punctured with the nastiness of human nature did they turn on him, spewing forth their vitriol and making him a scapegoat for their own short-comings. Even the house companion who oversaw the domestic chores turned against Nick, leaving him a disillusioned, forlorn character. Meanwhile the viewer was left contemplating the moral that, at the end of the day it really is you against everybody else."
Robert Stannard, Cumbria
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