All or Nothing At All
Courtesy of Granada Plus Television
Hugh starred in this three-part miniseries for ITV in December 1993.He was cast against type as a stockbroker who is also a compulsive gambler. In a preview, Time Out said: "It's hard to believe it of those innocent baby-blue eyes, but Hugh Laurie is a gambler." [Referring to his role in the series and not to his personal proclivities!] On the subject of his casting, the director, Andrew Grieve, is quoted as saying: "We wanted the nicest man in England to play Leo." The reviewer continues: "The otherwise excellent Laurie...enjoyed going solo...but he deserves better." In subsequent weeks Time Out said: "This series has so much going for it - Hugh Laurie...", described him as "surprisingly sexy'" and said, "he cries well on camera." Other reviews:
Sunday Times preview: "Hugh Laurie stars as Leo Hopkins, a City market analyst, in a classy and involving new drama serial...This is a good bet".
Craig Brown, Sunday Times TV critic: "...this incredibly gripping series...The cleverness of Guy Andrews's script, and the attraction of Laurie's beautifully controlled performance, is that Leo is almost wholly sympathetic....I still can't wait for next week's final episode...."
Times: "Laurie plays the hero with the right mixture of charm and guile....It's pleasant, engaging stuff, held together by Laurie's casually skilful acting....".
Martyn Harris, The Spectator: "Laurie himself captures perfectly the charm and vulnerability of the successful confidence man....At the end of last week Leo was buried in debt, his wife was on his tail, he'd lost his job, the old blind lady had thrown herself down the lift-shaft in his office, Leo was sitting naked on the roof in the rain. I was out there with him."
Elizabeth Cowley,Daily Telegraph,12-17-93: "Still, nice performances all round, especially from Laurie"
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