Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution; Beth

“There are a number of striking moments in the documentary and it opens with one of them: we watch Oliver recording the audio version of one of his cookbooks, which he has to do a few words at a time before the jumbled print he sees forces him into error and he has to stop, breathe and start again. It’s the perfect, succinct demonstration of both how his mind works and of the immense frustration at not being able to process the written word in the same way most can.”
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian

“He may have his knockers, but you have to admire his drive, his passion, his Tiggerish positivity and refusal to be ignored. He brings can-do energy while many politicians offer deathly workshopped soundbites and/or promise a ‘strategic review’ (translation: kick it into the long grass). Oliver is a good sort who gets things done.”
Carol Midgley, The Times

“In the world of neat, hour-long TV programmes, this is all very simple. Improve the teaching of dyslexic children and you’ll get a happier society with fewer criminals. But of course it’s far more difficult than that. There were few details about what this inclusive teaching would look like, what the outcomes would be, or where the funds would come from. Unfortunately, you can’t just do a Jamie Oliver bish, bash, bosh job on a subject like this.”
Anita Singh, The Telegraph

“When the chef confronted Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson at the Houses of Parliament, she barely got a chance to finish a sentence. The cheeky cook with his boisterous patter and a saucy wink for the grannies was nowhere to be seen. Our Bridget got well and truly bish-bash-boshed. After the confrontation, Jamie joined parents of dyslexic children outside the Palace of Westminster, before delivering a rousing pep talk. It was a triumphant ending to an hour that until then had often meandered and sometimes dragged.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

“With no concrete change made yet, perhaps Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution is a little premature. But in sounding the alarm over the struggles that thousands of children are facing in school, Oliver has at least made a move in the right direction.”
Emily Baker, The i

“SEND support has never been higher on the political agenda, and Oliver, one of the most effective agitators in Britain, has played his part in this. But the show mirrors the great challenge of modern politics. It’s far easier to identify problems – to point to injustice – than it is to locate their solutions, and, in doing so, initiate the sort of change that a revolution requires.”
Nick Hilton, The Independent

“Beth is a very stylish and confidently directed piece, with fine performances throughout – especially from Nicholas Pinnock, though he also benefits from having the most to do. But the script needs to be tighter and work harder so that we aren’t left feeling as if we’ve just watched the beginning of a Black Mirror episode. An endeavour like this should feel dense but leave you wanting more – through tantalisation and not, as here, largely through frustration.”
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian

“Film-maker Uzo Oleh has a background in high-end fashion photography and he has crafted something that looks beautiful, not least because Abbey Lee is a model who has appeared on the cover of Vogue. As an entry into television writing and directing, it’s a promising start, but too hung up on the visuals.”
Anita Singh, The Telegraph

“The actual pay-off is pants. I’m no doctor, but I’d say there’s a six per cent chance of it inspiring awe. But you should still check out Beth because, when it’s good, it’s a little miracle.”
Charlotte O’Sullivan, The Independent