Connor Macgregor Reviews...Miniseries/TV Movies

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Diary Of Anne Frank (2009)
Episode Two

INTRO: Episode Two resumes the scary cicumstances the Frank family and co are in, with more people slowly coming in.

SUMMARY:

THOUGHTS: More people are entering the space, where therefore makes things very crowded and tight. There was a scene with Anne Frank in the bath which was a bit out there for my taste, although I really appreciated the acknowledgement of Margot Frank being on her period. This episode has some good performances, with Ellie Kendrick doing another good turn as Anne Frank. Her mixture of innocence and confidence works well, playing into the fact that she is a terrified teenager in a horrifying situation. Otto Frank does his best to truly keep the peace within the small space, with Iain Glen doing a great performance here. The end sees more people enter the space, which makes for an uncomfortable situation for Anne Frank going forward.

RATING: 75% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Diary Of Anne Frank (2009)
Episode Three

INTRO: Conflicts, Teenage love, quiet time with the drama, Anne Frank has a lot to juggle in this episode.

SUMMARY:

THOUGHTS: A good chunk of the episode focuses on Mr Dussell, the recent now resident within the hiding place of The Frank Family and friends. There emerges a point of conflict between Anne and Mr Dussell which at times can be funny but at times immature and silly with Anne. What is good for Anne however is the growing bond between herself and Thomas. There blossoms teenage love between the two which is lovely to watch unfold. Another thing to note is the family domestics which can be easy to relate to at this time during Covid-19 what with all the claustrophobia and the desperate need for space and peace.

RATING: 77% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Diary Of Anne Frank (2009)
Episode Four

INTRO: Anne has a birthday, yet also a very intense and emotional exchange with her father as she continues to come of age in the worst possible world.

SUMMARY:

THOUGHTS: The episode begins with Anne's birthday, a sweet scene with a rare happy atmosphere within the space. What follows is Anne's struggle to grapple with puberty, with the growing fear and anxiety that comes with it. Her relationship with Thomas continus to build, with Anne seeing him differently, with a fun scene of him walking by her in a towel. This episode bring with it a real sense of enjoyment, despite the limited storytelling in one setting. Yet I do not feel very stressed out or critical about this as the space has a real sense of cosiness to it as well as relatability given the current siutation. The ending itself is also very interesting, with Otto and Anne having a very emotional exchange over Anne's letter to him. It is not at times easy, yet at the same time I feel very nessacary for her to say.

RATING: 77% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Diary Of Anne Frank (2009)
Episode Five

INTRO: The last episode in this miniseries is a strong and hopeful episode, but not before ending with a tragic conclusion.

SUMMARY:

THOUGHTS: The final episode is a tense one, given that the end is pretty grim viewing. It begins however with burglars entering the compound, with adds a lot of stress for the characters as whether or not they will be found. The Frank family and friends however are given optimism when the Allied forces enter Europe, leading to the belief that they will all be saved and for this to be a happy ending for them. With futures on the horizon, Anne begins to round up what she wants to do and that is writing, with a discussion about her aspirations had with her sister Margot. We see Margot herself come out of her shell a bit more, talking about her hopes and dreams too, with Felicity Jones giving a good performance also. However, the story ends in a heartbreaking conclusion as the Frank family and friends are finally discovered by the SS. The final scene is a haunting and sad end with each of the stowaways leaving the space slowly and hauntingly. It makes for a very sad and emotional end.

RATING: 81% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...A Midsummer Night's Dream

INTRO: Russell T Davies takes on another legendary writer's work, and adds his own spectacular charm to it.

SUMMARY: Tyrannical dictator Theseus brings his captive bride, Amazonian queen Hippolyta, to Athens for a forced, dynastic union whilst statesman Egeus sentences his daughter Hermia to death for spurning arranged marriage to Demetrius in favour of true love Lysander, with whom she escapes to the woods. Demetrius follows, along with Helena who is besotted with him. Also in the woods a group of amateur actors, including pompous Nick Bottom, are rehearsing a play to perform at the ducal wedding. All are unaware that the fairy rulers of the woods. Oberon and Titania are engaged in a feud with Oberon taking revenge on his wife, helped by the sprite Puck, which involves her falling in love with the first person she sees - namely Bottom wearing a donkey's head. The four lovers are similarly bewitched by the charm and much confusion results before order is restored and the play goes ahead, with the fairies ensuring happy endings - for those who deserve it.

REVIEW: Russell T Davies attempts shakespeare and I think it ultiamtely manifests as his most Un Russell T Davies project to date. It does look lovely though, with what seems to be a very good budget put forward with a mixture of excellent acting talent attached, a mixture of established and fresh faces mingled together. The cinematography stood out to me as lush, combined with smashing VFX effects from beginning to end. The dialogue of shakespeare is a hurdle in itself, though I found to see it in the perspective of poetry if anything. It's a nice story to tell also, with more fantasy from shakespeare than his other stories, with less gritty gloom. It becomes his most fun and imaginative story, added with that the wonderful modern performances that spark the story to life. One particular highlight is Matt Lucas who is delightful and witty as he always is. He interacts well with the other various characters, whether that be curious fairies or warring couples struggling to untangle their love problems. The story tells itself in two halves, with the first taking place entirely in the forest, before moving into the palace for the second half. The ending is also lovely, attached with a sweet feeling and a magical expansive climax. Overall, Russell T Davies tells a terrific story and a worthy adaptation of Shakespeare.

RATING: 85% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Pale Horse

Episode One

INTRO: Agatha Christie is a legendary writer in British literature, with her work quite often getting adapted. And now, we reach a story that I've never heard of until now.

SUMMARY: A year after discovering his first wife, Delphine, electrocuted in the bath, antique dealer Mark Easterbrook is summoned by the police when a woman, Jessie Davis, is found dead in the street. Hidden in her shoe is a list of names that she had written on a piece of paper. Among the names are those of Mark and Mark's paramour, Thomasina Tuckerton, whom Mark later finds dead in her bed. Mark discovers that Delphine and Jessie Davis had both visited the village of Much Deeping to consult a trio of women living there. Another person on the list, shopkeeper Zachariah Osborne, who had employed Jesse Davis, tells Mark that the women are witches, and responsible for the deaths.

REVIEW: The historical setting is good and fits with an Agatha Christie story. I love the erie start to the story, and all the murders that follow. The central male character has a very murky, mysterious feel to him and doesn't even trust or open up to his own wife. Kaya Scodlario is good in this, though she isn't as expressive in this story, and is much more closed off. As the story continues, so does the mystery, and more murders continue to take place with the possibility of witchcraft being involved. As the setting moves into a cosy english village, the story gets somewhat sinister and references from things like The Wicker Man emerge, with the supposed witches giving a very eerie feeling also. The feeling of obsession and paranoia also builds, with the central character feeling very usettled, betrayed and mistrusted by those close around him. These themes play very deeply into the story. I do enjoy Agatha Christie as a writer, and this adaptation gets off to a good start with an intriguing story to follow.

RATING: 83% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Pale Horse

Episode Two

INTRO: Part two of an adaptation of Agatha Christie's mysterious, somewhat supernatural novel.

SUMMARY: Mark's hair begins to fall out, as had Jesse Davis's and Thomasina Tuckerton's before they died. He succumbs to a growing paranoia towards the witches and their supposed power. He suspects that his second wife, Hermia, is plotting against him. Mark's godson, David Ardingly, admits to having enlisted the trio to bring about the death of his Aunt Clemency, so that he could inherit sooner. Inspector Lejeune disputes Mark's version of Delphine's death. Mark visits Osborne, who tells him that he can only be cleansed by fire. Mark then visits the witches and asks them to remove the threat posed by Hermia and Lejeune. Mark discovers Hermia in a coma, and while at the hospital where she is being treated, he sees the dying Lejeune brought in. Mark's flashbacks reveal that he caused Delphine's death and covered it up. He confronts Osborne, who confesses to having poisoned the other victims. He taunts Mark, who kills him and sets fire to his workshop. Hermia wakes up in the hospital with the three witches at her side and the three women tell her what Mark has done. Mark returns to his house and reads the morning paper. The headline is the announcement of his own death. Mark is now reliving Delphine's death over and over again in his nightmares, which he had been plagued with previously.

REVIEW: Part two continues to unravel the mystery from part one, as the deaths continue to build, and the suspect list dwindles down even further. Eventually, the truth is revealed who the killer is and why these murders have been taking place. It's a good unexpected twist, and one that works very well with the story. There is also the truth regarding the death of Mark's first wife, which surprised me also and was very well done. I also think Kaya Scodelario puts in a better performance here, in particular when her mental health is put into question. Unlike the novel, the final scene is ambiguous, and we are left without a clear fate for our central protagonist.

RATING: 84% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode One

INTRO: Time to give this critically acclaimed show a try and see if it lives up to the hype.

SUMMARY: At a secondary school in County Sligo, rural Ireland, a friendship sparks between the popular athlete Connell and outcast Marianne, which soon ignites into an intense romance. Connell lives at home with his kind mother, and Marianne lives in a mansion with her distant, busy mother and hateful brother. Connell's mother happens to be the housekeeper at Marianne's home. Marianne confronts Connell about her feelings for him and they kiss, but he's uncertain due to social pressures and keeps their acquaintance hidden.

REVIEW: We get quite a swift introduction to our leads Marianne & Connell. You have Marianne who is depicted as a very sarcastic loner in high school, never getting close to anyone and constantly getting ****. Connell on the other hand is a popular yet slightly shy lad with lots of friends and popularity. Marianne's life also is tough at home with a very cold family also. No one really gives her a break, yet her and Connell build a fondness for one another. Connell on the other hand has everything he wants in life; Good friends, even though they are dicks to Marianne, a loving mother, and involved in the Gaelic Football team. The relationship between both Connell & Marianne is slow, with kissing starting off, yet a reluctance to move onto sex. After this episode, I felt that I hadn't yet grabbed the excitement that had swept this show so hard around the world. I'm hopeful that with future episodes, that I'll get on board despite the somewhat slow start.

RATING: 65% - B

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Two

INTRO: We continue our odyssey with Connell & Marianne's epic romance across many years in Dublin and beyond.

SUMMARY: Connell and Marianne's romance blossoms, but he is eager to keep their relationship a secret to protect his high social standing in school. Connell and Marianne have sex and they continue to grow closer. However, Connell continues to ignore her in school. Marianne acts as though it is fine, but it puts their delicate connection under strain. Connell and his mother are very close in contrast to the high tension between Marianne and her family, which continues to grow.

REVIEW: We're starting to see this story build up a bit more as Marianne & Connell begin to develop their bond. They have sex for the first time in this episode, in what is a nice and emotional scene, with realistic and somewhat graphic sex, and something that doesn't seem over the top nor grotesque to watch. We're still in the high school era, and therefore Marianne still has to deal with the dickish behaviour of Connell's friends. Connell also is reluctant to merge Marianne more with his social circle which is questionable to say the least. We also see more of Marianne and her family, with her mother slghtly being more warmer in this episode, yet hinting of a very unsettled and troubled past with some of her reactions. I really enjoyed the scene in the abandoned house between Marianne & Connell, with the first real signs of opening up and expressing feelings to one another each.

RATING: 81% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Three

INTRO: Debs time and Marianne & Connell's relationship is put to the test.

SUMMARY: As their school days come to a close, Marianne cuts Connell off after a hurtful betrayal. Marianne turns up to a party, surprising everyone by looking glamorous. After a hurtful encounter at the party Connell drives her home, and they make up. Connell doesn't ask Marianne to the debs, which is the final straw. His mum expresses Marianne's hurt, but Connell brushes it off. Marianne stays home on the night of the debs still feeling betrayed; meanwhile Connell dances the night away with Rachel. Later on, full of beer and regret, Connell stumbles home crying, contemplating his loss.

REVIEW: The end of the high school era is initiated in this episode. A school disco is the centrepiece of this episode which tests the relationship between Connell & Marianne. And sadly it does indeed end in tears. Connell then decides to date another girl, which pisses Marianne off and allows her to cut herself off from Connell. The relationship then gets awkward and with pressure from his social circle, Connell invites Rachel to the debs rather than Marianne. This masssively upsets Marianne, as well as pissing off Connell's mother in the process. I found her reaction honestly to be quite over the top and a bit unnessacary. Minus points on her to be honest, for taking things a bit too far with her attitude towards Connell. Another approach could have been better. The final scene in this episode was damn near heartbreaking when Connell realises his mistakes and ultimatel breaks down on the side of the road. It's beautifully acted and out of nowehere. Ultimately a lot of the action in this episode would have been better if the characters all chose to open up and talk to one another rather than brushed the cold shoulder and kept things to themselves.

RATING: 82% - A-

Welcome to almost every drama/soap which ever existed. That said, Normal People takes it to the nth degree.

Technically it's very good and the acting and chemistry between the leads is very good, but the whole thing is so pointless and OTT. Emotional masterbation which left me angry or frustrated more often than sad or touched. If the book is anything like that (which it probably is, if not, more so) I doubt very much I'd have gotten that far into it.

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5-time MoFo Award winner.

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Four

INTRO: We move now into the college years for Connell & Marianne as they struggle both with their studies and temptation for each other.

SUMMARY: As he struggles to fit in at Trinity College, Connell is reunited with Marianne through Gareth, a classmate whom she is seeing. The tables are turned as Marianne has become the popular one and Connell the friendless loner. After meeting at a party, they decide they still want each other in their lives despite Marianne having moved on.

REVIEW: We now begin the college run in the story, with Connell arriving and already feeling a bit fish out of water in the process. He develops a bit of a loner persona, and struggles to open up slightly with other people. He ends up going back and forth to Sligo, chatting with his old school mates in pubs despite nothing really happening in his life. The college scenes are good, not overdone and feel realistic to watch with all the students likeable enough to not be irratating. Connell then attends a party and reunites there with Marianne in a nice surprising scene. The episode's perspective then shifts to Marianne, as her feelings for Connell slowly build again, as well as getting a close up of her inner circle who are all quite intriguing characters on screen. You get a real sense with the episode's final scene of their romance sparkling up again as both Connell & Marianne find each other stumbling into each others lives again. This episode is very real but also fun, with playful dialogue and a refreshing new setting being in Dublin college also.

RATING: 85% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Five

INTRO: Connell & Marianne find each other again and the romance sparkles once again.

SUMMARY: Late night calls and constant close contact means Marianne's bond with Connell grows stronger. He becomes a part of Marianne's clique, although doesn't really fit in. Connell apologizes for how he previously treated her, leading to Marianne doubting her seemingly strong relationship with Gareth. After thinking it over, she abruptly dumps him and then sleeps with Connell soon after returning from a party. However, someone else also has their eye on Marianne.

REVIEW: Connell and Marianne are now getting comfortable with one another again, with Connell interacting more with Marianne's social circle and in a way trying to find his place within the world of university. There is a duologue at one point between the two where Connell apologised for his behaviour regarding the Debs. We then see Marianne dump Gareth with no reason nor emotion. There's then a party sequence where both Connell & Marianne attend a party where Marianne gets quite drunk and makes a move on Connell. This in turns leads to the reigniting of their relationship in which a beautiful love scene takes place, looking very real and authentic. Aside from that, the episode is slightly lacklustre with nothing really that memorable and for it to really take a while to get going.

RATING: 72% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Six

INTRO: Marianne & Connell continue to grapple with their respective problems, whilst also maintaining their relationship.

SUMMARY: For a while, things are ideal and Connell and Marianne's renewed relationship blossoms due to lack of pressure for once. Marianne goes home for a family dinner, which ends in tears due to more abuse from her brother. After he loses his job, Connell can no longer pay his rent. Unable to stay and too ashamed to ask Marianne to stay at her place, he has to move back to Sligo. Their fling comes to an abrupt end but it is not clear why.

REVIEW: The opening shot in this episode shows Marianne in distress, presumably at Connell who storms out of the house. The episode then flashes six weeks before where Connell and Marianne are in a good place with their relationship. We see more of Marianne's friends especially Peggy who can be quite a bad friend at times, with a very big mouth. Connell then ends up having doubts and feeling weirded out about the relationship. He tries an idea of exchanging sex pics though is unsure about what they are meant to signify. During the college break, Marianne returns to the family home and ends up having to deal with his toxic abusive brother who is very nasty towards her, as well as coping with the neglect of her mother also. It's not a very nice family setting. For Connell, he ends up losing his job and developing a state of depression, which also puts a strain on his relationship with Marianne. The episodes ending is ambigous, but it implies that Marianne & Connell have split up yet again.

RATING: 83% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Seven

INTRO: The weakest episode of the series thus far. Nothing else to say really.

SUMMARY: Connell spends his days in Sligo getting drunk with old friends. Meanwhile, Jamie is finally free to make his move on Marianne and they start seeing each other. After meeting at the shop, Marianne and Connell rekindle their friendship. Marianne confesses that Jamie likes sadomasochism and claims she also likes it. Connell goes back to college for his results then goes drinking after being accepted into the prestigious Schols programme along with Marianne. She is celebrating with her friends and Jamie when Connell shows up bloody and drunk. Marianne tells Connell to leave after he tells her of his new girlfriend. Connell and Marianne discuss their breakup, and they realise it was due to a misunderstanding. Connell goes home to his girlfriend, Helen.

REVIEW: Some time has passed since the last episode with Marianne now in Sweden for a gap year. She forms a different relationship with another man which is very much based on kink sex and BDSM. It's an awkward scenario but really showcases the lost loneliness she possess following her breakup to Connell. Connell is also struggling and even gets beaten up in the streets of Sligo. I think this is argueably the weakest episode yet, as it feels very anti climatic and really has no sense of progression to the wider story. It could've been better but it sadly lacks more.

RATING: 61% - B

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Eight

INTRO: We swap Ireland for Italy this episode, as Connell & Marianne try to enjoy a nice holiday abroad.

SUMMARY: Connell and Niall have spent the summer backpacking in Europe. They visit Marianne's summer family home in the Italian countryside, where Jamie and Peggy have also been spending time. During their evening dinner, Jamie's controlling attitude is apparent to all and the two reach a breaking point. Marianne turns to Connell for protection and she stays in his room, where he comforts her.

REVIEW: The show's setting turns to Italy, in the summer which looks of course gorgeous on screen throughout the episode. This is Marianne's villa which I imagine is owned by her family. This leads to an interesting conversation about wealth between Connell and Marianne which I quite liked. However midway through the episode comes a very awkward dinner conversation between Connell and Jamie, in which Jamie coems off very badly and gets drunk, behaving like a complete dick in the process. An arguement then erupts between Jamie and Marianne in which a glass of wine is smashed and a teary Marianne walks away. A tender bedroom scene then happens afterwards where Marianne & Connell stay in the same room after the events at dinner. It's quite a tender moment between the two, and whilst no intercourse occurs, they are tempted by the act given their history. The episode ends with another anticlimatic ending and leaves more to tell about where their stories are going. It's a decent episode and provides a fresh location, and with it a bit more fun and relaxation with it, which makes this episode stand out a bit more.

RATING: 85% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Nine

INTRO: These next two episodes revolve around each character separately - here, its Marianne and her perpective only we see.

SUMMARY: Marianne is away on the Erasmus student exchange programme in Sweden where she finds herself in another unhealthy relationship with Lukas. In Ireland, Connell worries after Marianne's well-being, drawing the ire of Helen. During a session where Lukas takes bondage photos of her, Marianne gets upset and she breaks up with him.

REVIEW: Episodes Nine & Ten split Marianne & Connell up and focus an entire episode on them with themselves being very minor in the other's episode. First is Marianne. Depression has taken over. She is in Sweden, isolated and lonely. In that, she encounters a man in which a sexual relationship blossoms. But it is there that Marianne opens up about trying BDSM with him, which does erupt. Marianne is told by Connell that he is happy with Helen, despite her still being on his mind. Regarding the BDSM aspect, the character of Lukas, who Marianne is dating, is uncomfortable at first, but ultimately goes along with it. This sadly culminates in a very difficult moment where Marianne's anxiety gets the better of it. She has second thoughts and ultimately pulls out of the relationship. I thought this episode was really good, with Hettie MacDonald's direction superb, as I regard her as one of the most underrated directors working today in Film or Television. Sweden looks great on screen, with really terrific cinematography that beautifully captures the spacious landscape, which works with the themes of loneliness Marianne is going through throughout the episode.

RATING: 91% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Ten

INTRO: Turning to Connell in a real dark night of the soul moment which in turn produces a BAFTA winning performance in the process.

SUMMARY: Connell's mental health suffers after an old school friend dies by suicide, and he goes home to Sligo for the funeral. He becomes more distant from Helen even as she tries to support him, and eventually, she leaves him. He sees a counsellor who helps him connect to his emotions, and he deepens his connection with Marianne, despite the distance.

REVIEW: Now we focus on Connell who is also going through his own state of depression but in much more tragic circumstances. His friend Rob is dead, presumably by suicide. The episode excellently deals with the shock that Connell lets out, as well as the atmosphere of an unsuspecting funeral and how awkward such an event can be for someone so young. Itis because of his depression that his relationship with Helen ends, as his spiral into a deep depression continues throughout the episode. He attends therapy and it is there that Paul Mescal gives a mesmerising and powerful performance as he breaks down regarding his mental health, in a moment which likely won him the BAFTA for Leading Actor. It is relatable, powerful and heartfelt to watch. Sweet scenes with Marianne following on skype and we are reminded of how well their connection just sizzles on screen as the episode ends on a hopeful note.

RATING: 92% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Eleven

INTRO: A breakthrough for Marianne as her abuse from her brother Alan finally comes to head.

SUMMARY: Back in Sligo, Marianne and Connell struggle to find identity in their relationship. Things come to a head between Marianne and Alan, and he breaks her nose. She calls Connell for help; he confronts Alan, then takes her away, promising her that she will never experience such abuse again.

REVIEW: Following the last episode, Connell & Marianne are back together again and trying to make their relationship work and official. Another sex scene is in this episode, which is a bit more silly and awkward, yet also very revealing about their state of mind. Marianne is still feeling the sting of the BDSM relationship and is looking to be dominated with Connell, who refuses. We learn that it really resonates back to his brother Alan and his abuse towards her and the trauma that is has installed in Marianne since. The final sequence in the house with Alan, Marianne and Connell is great. Marianne gets hurt due to Alan's abuse and Connell takes the initiative to step up and save Marianne and threaten Alan in a way that feels nothing but satisfying to watch. It is sad though to watch Marianne & Alan's Mother do absolutely nothing throughout this sequence. Just sitting there watching TV pretending nothing is happening. The ending of the episode is uplifting, with Connell and Marianne leaving in the car, both committed, both free and both finally in love.

RATING: 89% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Normal People

Episode Twelve

INTRO: Last episode where Connell & Marianne's story comes to a conclusion, with big brave choices to be made.

SUMMARY: With Connell and Marianne's relationship finally on track, he invites her to spend Christmas with his family. Meanwhile, Marianne's relationship with her mother has reached a low point. Connell receives an offer to study for a MFA program in New York, prompting the pair to reflect upon their future together.

REVIEW: Connell and Marianne are in a good place in their relationship, with a hopeful outlook for their future. Because of the fallout of her family in the last episode, Marianne spends Christmas with Connell's family and has a much more euphoric sense being there, feeling very happy and overwhelmed. She is experiencing a fufilling happy christmas, something she in the past never really experienced before. There is a real sense in the finale that Marianne is moving on from her family, with a scene that signifies that and bringing an end to what is a sad story. Connell's writing hobby finally pays off, with an opportunity to study in New York, yet it presents a dilemma regarding his relationship with Marianne. The ending itself is a very poetic and nice end, with Connell & Marianne both changed people, with an anbiguous end to the series, yet with a hint of closure.

FINAL THOUGHTS: My final thoughts are this series are that it is a terrific story about love and growing up, as well as grappling the trials of early adulthood. Both Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones deliver strong performances throughout, creating memorable characters with very rich arcs. I believe this series will be remembered and have a long life for decades to come.

RATING: 86% - A-

SERIES RATING: 81% - A-