Critic Reviews

His [Lennie James'] performance is as whole and mesmerizing a portrait as one sees on television. .... “Loverman” is polished and literary, practically silky — sublime, even.

Mr. Loverman is a tour de force for Lennie James, but it’s also an affecting story of a man who struggles to be his true self and knows what the consequences are if he comes out at his advanced age.

It is more of a mood piece than an action-packed drama, with closeups of human life, with all its exquisite agonies and joys, portrayed by actors at the top of their game.

Mr Loverman is a wonderfully complex series that weaves together issues of marital breakdown, intergenerational conflict, infidelity, racism and sexuality.

Mr Loverman is a slim but moving testament to the enduring power of self-acceptance.

The series dips back in time to revisit the early years of Barrington’s relationship with Morris, but the present-day scenes – with their exploration of love and longing in old age – are the strongest.

It’s a shame, then, that halfway through, the show becomes repetitive, orbiting around the same points and moods. Despite that, it’s very much worth your time.

It's a lovely series to look at, vibrant and detailed – although part of me thinks that it might have been better suited to the stage. The dialogue and performances are heightened, with certain characters speaking their emotions out loud when alone during difficult moments, as you'd expect from a stage performer who doesn't have the benefit of close-up.

Most of the dialogue in this series is light on its feet, but Barrington’s inner monologue voiceovers sometimes feel jarring. The later scenes (all episodes are available) when Barrington and Carmel are pulling at the entrails of their rotted marriage are easily the best.