Mr Botibol's First Love is one of my favourite Tales of the Unexpected stories.
I remember watching it years ago and I've recently viewed it again last night. I came on here to find it has a rating below 5/10. That did surprise me as I expected people to appreciate what a tragic little story it is.
The other reviewers are right. There's no blood. There's no gore. There are no murders. But there is sadness and regret.
I expect the other reviewers are also in their teens and 20s. They don't understand the story because when one gets to be a middle aged man - or woman - there are a lot of moments of regret. The first thing you're honest about is yourself and your failings.
Mr Botibol admits he is a failure. He's mid-50s and the only 'success' he's ever achieved was almost running his late uncle's business into bankruptcy. At 55 years old Mr Botibol has so far managed to have never had a relationship with a woman. Yes, there are people out there like that who exist.
He leads a lonely life. His only comfort being a small mock concert hall in his house where the only performances are from Mr Botibol who acts out his fantasy of being a world famous conductor.
Then one day he meets Irene Wrzaszcyzk in a record shop. She's about ten years younger than him, but they share an interest in classical music and Mr Botibol invites her over to his house. Already he has thoughts in his head of marrying her. They both act out this fantasy of performing in the concert hall but Mr Botibol is shocked she can play the piano.
A failure all his life, Mr Botibol cannot see any future with this lady, so he tells her to go, forever. And now he's back to his lonely life. Until the grave probably.
The story might not mean much to some, but I loved it. It was poignant and engaging and both Jack Weston and Anna Massey give convincing performances.
Try understand what this story is about, not what you want it to be.
I remember watching it years ago and I've recently viewed it again last night. I came on here to find it has a rating below 5/10. That did surprise me as I expected people to appreciate what a tragic little story it is.
The other reviewers are right. There's no blood. There's no gore. There are no murders. But there is sadness and regret.
I expect the other reviewers are also in their teens and 20s. They don't understand the story because when one gets to be a middle aged man - or woman - there are a lot of moments of regret. The first thing you're honest about is yourself and your failings.
Mr Botibol admits he is a failure. He's mid-50s and the only 'success' he's ever achieved was almost running his late uncle's business into bankruptcy. At 55 years old Mr Botibol has so far managed to have never had a relationship with a woman. Yes, there are people out there like that who exist.
He leads a lonely life. His only comfort being a small mock concert hall in his house where the only performances are from Mr Botibol who acts out his fantasy of being a world famous conductor.
Then one day he meets Irene Wrzaszcyzk in a record shop. She's about ten years younger than him, but they share an interest in classical music and Mr Botibol invites her over to his house. Already he has thoughts in his head of marrying her. They both act out this fantasy of performing in the concert hall but Mr Botibol is shocked she can play the piano.
A failure all his life, Mr Botibol cannot see any future with this lady, so he tells her to go, forever. And now he's back to his lonely life. Until the grave probably.
The story might not mean much to some, but I loved it. It was poignant and engaging and both Jack Weston and Anna Massey give convincing performances.
Try understand what this story is about, not what you want it to be.