If marriage rates in the UK take a sudden nosedive, the BBC may well be responsible. “God, if this is married life, I want no part in it,” tweeted one viewer.
Marriage, starring Sean Bean and Nicola Walker, has firmly split the audience with its unbelievably realistic depiction of a three-decade relationship and all the mundane intimacy that comes with it.
From the simmering tension while loading the dishwasher, to an argument over a jacket potato that escalates to epic proportions (it wasn’t about the potato, it’s never about the potato…) and discussions about holey underwear, those in long-term relationships will relate.
With a purposely slow, quiet script, penned by brilliant Mum writer Stefan Golaszewski, this compelling portrait of a marriage was tedious for some.
Personally I could watch Sean Bean mess around with the WiFi router or load the dishwasher for ages – and he does.
Nicola Walker’s strained looks and clipped sentences are equally captivating. It’s thanks to the powerful performances of the two leads that this style works.
There are discussions about the outrage of paying for sachets of ketchup, what to eat for tea and watch on telly, what jacket to buy online, and long stretches where no one actually says anything at all.
But the reality is that while nothing is happening, underneath the surface, there’s pain and trauma and big, scary, unspoken feelings.
Ian has recently been made redundant and doesn’t know what to do with his days.
This doesn’t help his paranoia about Emma’s smarmy, horrid, flirty boss Jamie.
Emma is trying to do well at work but juggling Ian’s feelings, Jamie’s ego and a workplace where she clearly doesn’t fit in.
Their adopted daughter Jessica (Chantelle Alle) is dating a controlling moron, Emma’s father (James Bolam) is demanding and difficult and there’s also a deep-seated grief about the loss of their baby.
There’s actually a lot going on. It’s a slow-moving, emotional drama, with all the frustrations and tensions hidden in little looks and glances – not great big showdowns. It’s not exciting, but it’s not supposed to be.
And the jarring theme tune that turned off many viewers… it’s supposed to make you feel uncomfortable and unnerved, just like the marriage playing out before you.
Even in the moments where the “action” slows to snail pace, it’s impossible to look away.
This is a clever, painfully truthful observation of marriage and all the positives and negatives and ups and downs that come with it.
A divisive, debated show is often a good one, and I’m fully committed.
