Leonard and Hungry Paul; The Perfect Neighbor; Romesh Ranganathan’s Parents’ Evening

“Leonard and Hungry Paul’s heart is in the right place: the right place being ‘sitting on a park bench next to the Detectorists, pointing out its favourite duck’. It’s a series that ambles along in its sleeveless jumper, occasionally looking up at the stars, occasionally down at its slippers, quietly confident that there is nothing in the world as cheering as spending time in the company of good friends.”
Sarah Dempster, The Guardian

“There are no raucous belly laughs in this mildest of comedies, which, like the introverts it champions, is slight and undemanding. But it is strangely calming and immersive, offering little moments of profundity. It is hard to translate a book that is about innerness and reflection to the screen and, though I haven’t read it, I imagine some of the tiny nuances may be lost. But this is written with great charm, a warming, relatable watch and a paean to the non-sharp-elbowed.”
Carol Midgley, The Times

“As a way of capturing the horrors of that night, the spareness of the film-making is powerful. But in terms of giving us the full picture, it falls short.”
Anita Singh, The Telegraph

“Romesh’s best qualification for Parents’ Evening is his relationship with his mother, Shanthi, who clearly adores her boy while scolding and mocking him something rotten. But their unique interplay is ruined by a flawed game show format that simply hasn’t been thought out properly.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail