That was the best piece of drama I have seen for a very long time - funny and poignant in equal measure. And Nigel Slater's cameo at the end really was the perfect finishing touch. I thought the acting by the two young "Slaters" was sublime and the resemblance to the real Nigel in looks and mannerisms was quite uncanny. I had lost all hope in enjoying any of the "festive" telly offerings. Thank God for toast! And yes, I had to have a slice of toast dripping with butter midway through - just to get into the mood of course....:D
Neither of the two ages of him were even remotely likeable on any level, and everyone has something about them that is likeable and that you can relate to.
Since this drama was based on real people, it's good that they didn't come across as totally likeable and instead had real personalities. It must have been hard for the father though, knowing that his wife could die at any time, even if he wasn't a great father. And losing your mother at a young age can cause 'bratish' behaviour at times, it's not as if children have the same view of death as adults.
For me, this was the best programme on tv all Christmas and the young boy playing young Nigel is a good actor for his age.
I really enjoyed Toast. It's nice to watch something which was warm and cosy, yet not completely rose tinted. The characters weren't always sympathetic, but there was some very touching moments, particularly his mother and Nigel crying in the storecupboard, his father crying in the corner of his room, Nigel making his father a fish supper and Mrs Potter running after Nigel asking him not to leave her...I thought it all balanced out, and that made it very compelling.
I didn't know it was just a one-off and thought there were more episodes coming! In that case, the ending did feel a bit rushed and maybe not so satisfying. I'm sorry to hear that they're not doing the next stages of his life. I'll have to get the book now, too to find out what happens
I really enjoyed this, but when the mother was using her asthma inhaler I thought that is modern. I recognised it as the one I use, as I have asthma. Infact I developed in full in the early 70s at 12 and had to take tablets for years before moving on to an inhaler in the late 80s. There where inhalers but you had to put a powder capsule into it and click down and then remove. Bugger to wash as you had to use boiling water or you got built up on the spinner bit.
I had a 'modern' inhaler in the 70s. They were around then.
About the veggie garden. I think it was common practice to allow your gardener an area to grow veggies and he could keep them. That way you pay him a bit less.
I loved this programme. It was so obviously written from childhood memories and as such was a bit different than the purely fictional dramas. In real life people are more complex and there are always aspects of people that are not quite so nice. I think it is great that he has been so honest. He obviously remembers hating Mrs Potter and that continued throughout his childhood. It didn't make him as likeable as you might want him to be but it was what he remembered.
Definitely going to get the book!
Thanks, I wondered why they had this when they ate out of tins.
I must admit having watched this I want to now read the book, as I am hoping that young Nigel is more likeable and there is more background into what drove him to be a chef.
But there is a limit to what can be shown in an hour and a half and I appreciate that.
However, on the point that some are making about what an unpleasant young boy Nigel was portrayed as. And how he was mean to Mrs Potter.
Just to say that in the 70's it was very unlikely that a child about to lose a parent would be told/informed of what was happening. So it would be a confusing time - he just sees his mother as bed bound, if her illness is not discussed he will just feel bereft and abandoned. Especially if he did not have a loving, supportive parent who tried to help him overcome what he has been through.
I think we all sometimes forget that all the modern services and support available to children who have suffered or are due to suffer a death in the family were not there then. So possibly children now are more able to understand what is happening - even though the effect of devestating a life is still the same.
But back to Toast, I did enjoy it and wish it had been a series and so maybe not so rushed, so we got a better understanding of why there was so much competition for his father's attention.
My mum died in the fifies when I was five, and I remember no-one talking about her, and I daren't, as it might upset someone, so everything was bottled up. It was a time of stiff upper lips and getting on with it.
What a bizarre film of a weird set of people. Watched it all but I can’t say I enjoyed it and Bonham Carter has to be the least convincing scouser I’ve ever seen - Harry Enfield could have played it better!
My mum died in the fifies when I was five, and I remember no-one talking about her, and I daren't, as it might upset someone, so everything was bottled up. It was a time of stiff upper lips and getting on with it.
What a bizarre film of a weird set of people. Watched it all but I can’t say I enjoyed it and Bonham Carter has to be the least convincing scouser I’ve ever seen - Harry Enfield could have played it better!
Just as welll she was playing someone from Wolverhampton then.
Really enjoyed that, would love to know if he did ever mend his relationship with Joan, felt so desperately sorry for her as he walked away. The lad who played little Nigel was absolutely wonderful, as was his childhood friend
A very decent audience of 6.2m watched last night - officially a hit. That puts it ahead of some well-established TV drama series this year. Thoroughly well deserved.
What a bizarre film of a weird set of people. Watched it all but I can’t say I enjoyed it and Bonham Carter has to be the least convincing scouser I’ve ever seen - Harry Enfield could have played it better!
That could be because she was from Wolverhampton not Liverpool?
I wonder if the step mum is still alive? She might have some views on the subject.
I notice they changed her name and the Dad's. They did say at the start that some of the details had been changed. She certainly wasn't a nice character.
My mum died in the fifies when I was five, and I remember no-one talking about her, and I daren't, as it might upset someone, so everything was bottled up. It was a time of stiff upper lips and getting on with it.
I am so sorry to hear that teresagreen, it must have be a terribly confusing time for you & with no way of letting out what your feelings were
Really enjoyed that, would love to know if he did ever mend his relationship with Joan, felt so desperately sorry for her as he walked away.
I believe someone said earlier in the thread - someone who's read the book - that Nigel did mend his relationship with his step-mother and even took her out to dinner.
I really enjoyed this, but when the mother was using her asthma inhaler I thought that is modern.
- As a baby boomer asthmatic - the original pump inhalers were around for a short time. They were taken off the market due to causing heart problems - i know because they nearly killed me ! (later re-introduced as relivers and preventer types - Ventolin/becotode).
I also remember my grannie had the glass aerosel container pump at the time, which i would expect Slaters mum to have ? .
There where inhalers but you had to put a powder capsule into it and click down and then remove.
- Spinhalers with orange or green capsules !
I believe someone said earlier in the thread - someone who's read the book - that Nigel did mend his relationship with his step-mother and even took her out to dinner.
There is no mention of any reconciliation in the book either. He describes once going to ring her, but he changes his mind and walks away from the payphone.
Comments
You are so right. Brilliantly acted and wonderful attention to period detail too. The highlight of Christmas so far.
Since this drama was based on real people, it's good that they didn't come across as totally likeable and instead had real personalities. It must have been hard for the father though, knowing that his wife could die at any time, even if he wasn't a great father. And losing your mother at a young age can cause 'bratish' behaviour at times, it's not as if children have the same view of death as adults.
For me, this was the best programme on tv all Christmas
I didn't know it was just a one-off and thought there were more episodes coming! In that case, the ending did feel a bit rushed and maybe not so satisfying. I'm sorry to hear that they're not doing the next stages of his life. I'll have to get the book now, too to find out what happens
Well he cooks as you should cook - not the Delia Smith way.
Thought this was excellent.
Two brave characterisations of the young Nigel.
The dad showed very ocassional, and very slight, signs of tenderness but generally you could easily see why Nigel - as potrayed - was as he was.
Mrs Potter - nice enough until he brings the scones home, then an evil selfish bitch.
Loved the walk out scene - almosty cheered.
The 'real' Nigel cameo was a nice touch
"I do a great lemon meringe."
"They all say that......"
Sexually Nigel has clearly 'swung both ways' but with his upbringing you can see why.
I had a 'modern' inhaler in the 70s. They were around then.
Thanks, I wondered why they had this when they ate out of tins.
My mum died in the fifies when I was five, and I remember no-one talking about her, and I daren't, as it might upset someone, so everything was bottled up. It was a time of stiff upper lips and getting on with it.
Scouser? From Wolverhampton?
A very bad thing.
I didn't.
She quickly became very unpleasant towards him.
Just as welll she was playing someone from Wolverhampton then.
Really enjoyed that, would love to know if he did ever mend his relationship with Joan, felt so desperately sorry for her as he walked away. The lad who played little Nigel was absolutely wonderful, as was his childhood friend
Not the best drama of the year though. A long way off in fact.
That could be because she was from Wolverhampton not Liverpool?
I notice they changed her name and the Dad's. They did say at the start that some of the details had been changed. She certainly wasn't a nice character.
I am so sorry to hear that teresagreen, it must have be a terribly confusing time for you & with no way of letting out what your feelings were
I felt that she was just trying to protect her place with his father she would have liked Nigel to warm to her and accept her as his step mother.
I think she was scared he would win his father round and she would end up with her old sad life.
She spent all her time being the cleaner still.
All in all a fantastic bit of tv. I want more!!
I believe someone said earlier in the thread - someone who's read the book - that Nigel did mend his relationship with his step-mother and even took her out to dinner.
- As a baby boomer asthmatic - the original pump inhalers were around for a short time. They were taken off the market due to causing heart problems - i know because they nearly killed me ! (later re-introduced as relivers and preventer types - Ventolin/becotode).
I also remember my grannie had the glass aerosel container pump at the time, which i would expect Slaters mum to have ? .
There where inhalers but you had to put a powder capsule into it and click down and then remove.
- Spinhalers with orange or green capsules !
I think this was meant as a joke? According to this http://www.areyoureadytoorder.co.uk/interview.php?id=10 they never spoke again and she is now dead.
There is no mention of any reconciliation in the book either. He describes once going to ring her, but he changes his mind and walks away from the payphone.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/dec/31/toast-christmas-shooting-stars-review